Buntingford Crime Rate

Buntingford is a highly secure and peaceful market town, as reflected by its impressive safety score of 88/100. The town's overall crime rate is 53.5 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. Recent data from December 2024 to November 2025 indicates a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 8.4% year-over-year. Property crime is particularly low at 14.2 per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 32.3. While violence and anti-social behaviour are the most commonly reported issues, the low rates of burglary and vehicle crime highlight Buntingford as one of the safer residential areas in East Hertfordshire.

Buntingford's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which make up 35.1% of all recorded incidents (172 cases). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 29.6%, while shoplifting ranks third at 6.9%. These figures suggest that most police activity in the town is related to social conduct and retail-based offences.

Property-related crime in Buntingford—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 14.2 per 1,000 people. This is less than half the UK average of 32.3, indicating a very secure environment for homeowners. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (33 cases) and vehicle crime (25 cases) are more common than burglary (17 cases). The burglary rate is notably low at 1.9 per 1,000 residents, representing only 3.5% of total crime. This suggests that while opportunistic theft and damage occur, targeted residential break-ins are rare. For Buntingford residents, the main property concerns are opportunistic vehicle crime and shoplifting in the town centre, rather than a high risk of home invasion.

The crime trend in Buntingford is positive, with an 8.4% decrease in total crime over the last 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate fluctuating, with a low of 2.4 in December and January and a peak of 7.1 in July.

Despite the spike in July, the overall trend has been downward, with the year ending at a rate of 3.2 in November. This suggests that the summer months may see a temporary increase in activity, but the town generally maintains a low crime volume. For residents, this decreasing trend reinforces Buntingford's status as a safe place to live. Continued vigilance during the busier summer months is advised, but the long-term data indicates a community that is becoming increasingly secure.

How To Keep Safe in Buntingford

The most prevalent crime type in Buntingford is violence and sexual offences, making up 35.1% of all reports. This category often includes non-public incidents, but maintaining general awareness is always a good practice.

• Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime accounts for 5.1% of local crime and peaks at night. Always lock your car, close windows, and ensure no bags or electronics are visible from the outside.
• Support Local Businesses: With shoplifting being the third most common crime (6.9%), being a vigilant shopper and reporting suspicious behaviour can help local retailers maintain a safe high street.
• Home Security Awareness: While burglary is low (3.5%), ensure your home is well-lit at night. Use motion-sensor lights on driveways and near entry points to deter opportunistic intruders.
• Report ASB: Anti-social behaviour makes up 29.6% of local crime. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps ensure that public spaces like parks and the high street remain welcoming for everyone.
• Join Neighbourhood Watch: Engaging with your neighbours and joining a local watch scheme is one of the most effective ways to maintain Buntingford's high safety standards.

Crime in Buntingford follows a predictable daily cycle. Morning and afternoon hours see a higher concentration of theft and shoplifting, peaking when the town's retail areas are busiest. Afternoon hours also see the highest percentage of burglaries (24%), likely targeting homes while residents are out. As evening sets in, the focus shifts toward anti-social behaviour and public order issues. The night-time period is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for 46% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. This suggests that while daytime concerns are more social and retail-oriented, the primary risk to property occurs overnight. Residents should ensure that vehicles are securely parked and homes are well-protected during these vulnerable late-night hours.

Buntingford is situated in a very safe part of the East Hertfordshire district. When compared to nearby areas, it maintains a strong safety profile. While it has a higher crime rate than the smallest hamlets like Barkway and Cottered (which report zero crime), it is safer than Great Hormead (56.0) and Braughing (58.9). Buntingford offers a balanced market town environment where safety is high, and the crime rate is well below the national average. For those looking for a secure place to live in the region, Buntingford provides a more robust community infrastructure than the tiny villages while maintaining a crime rate that is lower than many of its immediate neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000, Buntingford is statistically very safe. However, the presence of shoplifting and vehicle crime suggests that opportunistic offenders are active in the area. Traditional security systems like basic CCTV or DIY alarms are reactive—they notify you after a crime has been committed. For homeowners who want to ensure their property remains part of the "low crime" statistic, proactive protection is the logical step.

An AI-powered operating system like scOS is designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundary 24/7, scOS can identify potential threats in real-time. If a suspicious individual approaches, the system can autonomously activate lights or audio deterrents, removing the element of surprise. In a town like Buntingford, where vehicle crime often happens under the cover of darkness, scOS's ability to verify vehicles and provide autonomous responses offers a level of security that traditional recording-only systems simply cannot match.