Bishop's Stortford Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bishop's Stortford recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in May 2025, 24.7% below the UK average of 8.1. This marks one of the lowest rates in the area’s recent history, reflecting a combination of effective local policing and the town’s character as a commuter hub with a relatively stable population. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (36.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.1%) and other theft (9.3%). Violence and sexual offences in the area were 19% below the UK average, consistent with the town’s lower overall rate. However, anti-social behaviour stood out as an exception, with a rate of 1.5 per 1,000—6% above the UK average of 1.4. This may partly explain the higher share of anti-social behaviour in the crime mix, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in public spaces. Seasonal factors in May, including bank holidays and longer evenings, likely contributed to increased socialising and outdoor activity, which could have influenced patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order crimes. The town’s lower crime rate compared to the UK average is also likely driven by its compact built-up area, which may facilitate more visible policing and community engagement. While the overall rate remains low, the specific trend in anti-social behaviour underscores the importance of addressing localised issues even within a generally safe environment.

May 2025 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with burglary jumping 400% (2 to 10) and robbery tripling (1 to 4). These spikes, though small in absolute terms, suggest potential shifts in criminal activity, possibly linked to seasonal factors or local events. Anti-social behaviour, already 6% above the UK average, remained a key concern, accounting for nearly a quarter of all crimes. The rate of public order offences (0.4 per 1,000) was 31% below the UK average, indicating that Bishop’s Stortford may have a more orderly public space compared to other areas. Other notable trends included a 55% drop in shoplifting (15 crimes, 0.3 per 1,000) and a 45.8% decrease in criminal damage and arson (13 crimes, 0.3 per 1,000), which could reflect improved community cohesion or targeted enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, bicycle theft (0.1 per 1,000) was 25% above the UK average, a small but distinct outlier that might relate to the town’s cycling infrastructure or local demographics. Residents should be aware of the sharp rise in burglary and robbery, which, while not yet a major trend, warrants attention from local authorities and community groups.

Bishop’s Stortford’s crime rate in May 2025 (6.1 per 1,000) marked a 13.9% increase from the previous month’s rate of 5.4 per 1,000, a rise that, while modest, suggests a temporary uptick in criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 9 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that places it among the lower end of the UK’s crime spectrum. When scaled to the local population of 44,015, the monthly exposure translated to one reported crime for every 163 residents, a ratio that underscores the town’s generally low crime environment. This 1-in-163 statistic is significantly better than the UK average, which would translate to a much higher frequency of crime per capita. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the month-on-month increase, Bishop’s Stortford remains a relatively safe area compared to other parts of the country. The rise in crime rate may be attributed to seasonal factors such as increased socialising and outdoor activity during May, but the overall trajectory still points to a town that is managing crime effectively. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly around the spikes in burglary and robbery, but the broader context suggests that the area’s safety record remains strong.