Buntingford Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 presented an intriguing crime picture for Buntingford, with a total crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents—38.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most prevalent category, accounting for 43.5% of all recorded crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.2%) and property crimes (10.9%). This distribution contrasts with national trends, where property crimes typically dominate. The seasonal context of October, marked by the clocks going back, darker evenings, and the approach of Halloween, likely influenced the crime profile. The higher proportion of violent crimes may reflect increased social interactions during evenings, though Buntingford's overall safety remains evident given its significant deficit against the UK average. The low rate of vehicle crime (0.6 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) further underscore the area's characteristics as a relatively low-risk built-up zone within East Hertfordshire, possibly benefiting from strong community ties and limited urban density. These factors may contribute to the lower incidence of property-related offences, despite the higher share of violent crimes compared to the UK average.

October 2024 marked a sharp rise in public order offences, which increased by 200% compared to September, from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 150% jump in vehicle crime (2 to 5 cases), suggests a shift in crime patterns during the month. Violent crimes, however, remained 18% below the UK average at 2.2 per 1,000, despite comprising 43.5% of all recorded crimes. The dramatic 80% drop in shoplifting, from 5 to 1 incident, may reflect seasonal factors such as Halloween-related activity or reduced retail footfall. Anti-social behaviour saw a 38% deficit compared to the UK average, with just 0.8 per 1,000 residents affected. These contrasting trends highlight the combination of local dynamics and broader national trends, with Buntingford's unique character—likely shaped by its rural-urban interface—playing a key role in shaping these outcomes.

Buntingford's crime rate in October 2024 rose 21.0% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.2 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stands at 8.1 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly exposure to crime means one reported crime occurred for every 199 residents over the course of the month. On a daily basis, Buntingford recorded roughly one crime per day in October, a figure that reflects the area's relatively low population density and limited urban infrastructure. This daily rate is consistent with patterns observed in similar built-up areas within East Hertfordshire, where community cohesion and lower population concentrations tend to suppress crime. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the month-on-month rise, the absolute number of crimes remains low in proportion to Buntingford's 9,164 residents, reinforcing the area's overall safety profile compared to national benchmarks.