Bishop's Stortford Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bishop's Stortford's crime rate in December 2025 stood at 6.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 7.1% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This built-up area within East Hertfordshire, known for its historic market town character and commuter links to London, recorded 284 total crimes across the month. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (31.3% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.3%) and other theft (10.2%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of December, when Christmas shopping peaks and dark evenings increase opportunities for certain offences. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.0 per 1,000, were 22% below the UK average for this category, potentially reflecting the area's relatively stable community dynamics. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 18% above the UK average, possibly linked to increased social activity during the festive season. Other theft, at 0.7 per 1,000, was 35% above the UK average, which may be connected to the town's retail presence. While the overall crime rate remains lower than the national average, the breakdown highlights specific areas for local focus, particularly in managing anti-social behaviour and other theft during high-traffic periods. The seasonal context of December—characterised by holiday shopping, party season, and prolonged darkness—likely contributes to shifts in crime patterns, with some categories seeing temporary spikes due to increased footfall and altered routines.

December 2025 saw notable month-on-month changes in Bishop's Stortford's crime profile. Public order offences surged by 200%, rising from 7 to 21 incidents, potentially linked to increased festive gatherings and public events. Vehicle crime also increased sharply by 133.3%, from 9 to 21, which may be attributed to higher car usage during the holiday season and the presence of parked vehicles in commercial areas. Possession of weapons rose by 100%, from 1 to 2 incidents, a small but significant increase that warrants local monitoring. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 80%, from 5 to 1, reflecting reduced pedestrian activity during colder evenings or heightened awareness among residents. Other crime decreased by 33.3%, from 6 to 4, while anti-social behaviour declined by 9.3%, from 54 to 49, suggesting some local initiatives may have had a mitigating effect. In comparison to the UK average, Bishop's Stortford's violent crime rate was 22% lower, but anti-social behaviour was 18% higher, and other theft was 35% above the national average. These disparities highlight the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention, particularly in managing anti-social behaviour and other theft, which remain areas of concern relative to the UK average.

Bishop's Stortford's crime rate in December 2025 (6.5 per 1,000) represented a 10.1% increase compared to the previous month's rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This rise, while modest, suggests a shift in local crime dynamics, potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as the Christmas shopping period and increased social activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 9 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides residents with a concrete sense of the local crime frequency. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is consistent with the area's overall crime profile. When viewed in the context of Bishop's Stortford's population of 44,015, the 284 total crimes reported reflect a relatively low level of criminal activity compared to larger urban centres, though specific categories like anti-social behaviour and other theft remain above the UK average. This population-scaled perspective underscores the importance of targeted interventions in high-risk areas, such as retail zones and public spaces, to address localised trends while maintaining the area's generally safer profile relative to the national average.