Buntingford Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Buntingford's crime rate in December 2024 stood at 2.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 66.2% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, the lowest recorded for the area in recent months, reflects a broader trend of sustained safety in a built-up area within East Hertfordshire. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all incidents (9 cases), a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents—61% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, comprising 31.8% of crimes (7 cases) at a rate of 0.8 per 1,000, 15% below the UK average. These patterns align with the area's character as a small, low-density commuter hub with limited nightlife and fewer transient populations, factors that may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and empty homes over holidays—could have influenced the distribution of crimes. For instance, the relatively high rate of possession of weapons (0.2 per 1,000, 233% above the UK average) may be linked to increased police presence or reporting during the festive period. Meanwhile, the drop in violent crimes from 22 to 9 incidents (59.1% decrease) may be attributed to reduced public gatherings and heightened community vigilance during the holiday season. The area's low overall crime rate, combined with its specific vulnerabilities in categories like weapon possession, illustrates the nuanced relationship between local geography and national crime trends.

December 2024 marked a significant shift in crime trends, with violent crimes decreasing by 59.1% from 22 to 9 incidents, the largest drop among all categories. This decline, coupled with a 75.0% reduction in vehicle crime (from 4 to 1), suggests seasonal factors such as holiday closures and reduced public gatherings may have played a role. However, possession of weapons rose sharply by 100.0%, from 0 to 2 incidents—a rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents, 233% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly may reflect increased enforcement or reporting during the festive period. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 40.0%.8 per 1,000 remains 15% below the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. Property crimes—comprising burglary, public order, and other theft—fell to 3 incidents (4.6% of total crimes), a stark contrast to the UK's higher property crime rates. These shifts highlight the combination of local dynamics and national trends, with Buntingford's low overall rate masking pockets of variation in specific categories.

Buntingford's crime rate in December 2024 fell to 2.4 per 1,000 residents, a 51.1% drop from the previous month's 4.9 per 1,000. This decline positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with the overall rate 66.2% below the national average of 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 417 residents, a statistic that highlights the sparse distribution of incidents across the built-up area's population of 9,164. This stark contrast to the UK's higher rates suggests a combination of local factors—such as community cohesion, policing strategies, or the area's character as a low-density commuter hub—contributing to the sustained safety record. The drop from November to December also aligns with seasonal patterns, as the holiday period typically sees reduced criminal activity in areas with strong community ties and limited transient populations.