Buntingford Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Buntingford’s crime rate in February 2024 stood at 4.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 40.8% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 65.3% increase from January, reflects a community where crime remains relatively low compared to national standards. The top three crime types were violence and sexual offences (11 incidents, 29% of total), anti-social behaviour (7 incidents, 18.4%), and other theft (5 incidents, 13.2%). These patterns align with Buntingford’s character as a built-up area within East Hertfordshire, where the mix of residential and small-scale commercial activity may contribute to incidents involving personal disputes or minor property crimes. Seasonal context also plays a role, with February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull potentially reducing opportunities for certain crimes, such as vehicle theft or public order offences. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour suggests challenges related to community cohesion or winter-specific pressures, such as increased indoor gatherings. The area’s violent crime rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 52% below the UK average, consistent with the safety profile of a largely suburban or commuter-focused locality. Property crime, though slightly higher than violent crime this month, still remained 33% below the UK average for burglary and 77% below for vehicle crime, indicating strong local deterrence measures. These trends highlight Buntingford’s position as a relatively safe area, with crime patterns shaped by both geographic factors and seasonal rhythms.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in February 2024 was a 250% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This surge, though stark, still left Buntingford’s rate for this category 24% below the UK average. Other notable shifts included a 100% rise in other theft and possession of weapons, both moving from zero to 5 and 1 incidents respectively. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 80%, declining from 5 to 1, a reduction that placed the area’s rate 77% below the UK average. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted, with property crimes (17) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (11) for the first time this year. This mix suggests a move toward incidents linked to localised disputes or nuisance activities, such as anti-social behaviour, which may be influenced by seasonal factors like colder weather encouraging indoor gatherings. For residents, the 250% spike in anti-social behaviour offers a specific insight into areas requiring attention, such as public spaces or community engagement initiatives.

February 2024 saw a 65.3% rise in Buntingford’s crime rate compared to January 2024, reflecting a shift from the previous month’s 2.5 per 1,000 to the current 4.2 per 1,000. This increase, while significant, remains 40.8% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day in February, a figure that translates to 1-in-241 residents experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is a local metric, distinct from UK-wide averages, and highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in Buntingford. When contextualised against the population of 9,164, the crime rate underscores a community where incidents are rare but not absent, with patterns suggesting a seasonal lull in activity typical of winter months. The shift from January’s lower rate may reflect temporary factors such as weather or local events, though the area’s overall safety profile remains markedly better than the national average.