Buntingford Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Buntingford's January 2024 crime profile reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, a pattern less common in smaller built-up areas. With a total of 23 crimes recorded at a rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 66.2% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.5% of all incidents (10 cases), followed by vehicle crime (21.7%, 5 cases) and shoplifting (13.0%, 3 cases). This distribution suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors. The relatively high share of violent crime compared to property crime is notable, as Buntingford's built-up area status typically correlates with higher property crime rates in similar regions. Seasonal context may partly explain this balance: post-holiday periods often see reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor activities, which could suppress property crime while leaving violent incidents more exposed in smaller communities. The low rate of shoplifting, 47% below the UK average, may indicate effective local deterrence strategies or a limited retail presence that does not attract significant theft. Vehicle crime, though 20% above the UK average, remains a small proportion of total incidents, reflecting specific parking patterns or vehicle density in the area. The overall crime mix illustrates a community where violent incidents are more frequently reported than property crimes, a trend that warrants further analysis in the context of local policing priorities and community engagement.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 400% increase in vehicle crime, rising from one to five incidents. This surge contrasts with a 60% decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell from five to two cases. The most notable shift in crime mix was the balance between violent and property crimes: violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.5% of total incidents, while property crimes (vehicle crime, shoplifting, burglary) made up the remaining 56.5%. This near-parity between violent and property crime is unusual for Buntingford, which typically sees property crimes dominate. Vehicle crime, at 0.6 per 1,000, was 20% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as parking patterns or vehicle density may contribute. Conversely, shoplifting was 47% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the area's retail footprint or community policing efforts.

Buntingford's January 2024 crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents marks a 41.1% decline from the previous month's 4.3 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with typical seasonal trends observed in small built-up areas, where post-holiday periods and shorter daylight hours often correlate with lower reported crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a low-frequency pattern consistent with rural and semi-rural communities. When scaled to the population of 9,164, this translates to one reported crime for every 398 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees higher concentrations of crime in urban centres. The population-scaled perspective highlights how Buntingford's compact size and lower density likely contribute to the reduced likelihood of encountering crime compared to larger, more densely populated areas.