Buntingford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Buntingford during January 2026 reveals a landscape where violent crime dominates, but with rates far below the UK average. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.3% of all crimes, a figure that, while higher than property-related offences, remains 44% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This contrast with the national trend suggests that Buntingford's built-up area, likely serving as a small commuter hub or rural service centre, may experience different pressures. The low overall crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000—51.5% below the UK average—aligns with the area's likely characteristics as a low-density, possibly suburban or semi-rural location with limited nightlife or commercial density. Seasonal context further shapes this profile: January's post-holiday period, shorter days, and reduced retail footfall may dampen opportunities for property crime, which in Buntingford accounted for only 30% of total incidents (9 property crimes out of 30). Anti-social behaviour, at 16.7% of crimes, and other theft, at 10%, reflect patterns consistent with smaller communities where personal disputes and minor thefts are more visible. The absence of significant spikes in property crime, despite the post-holiday period, may indicate that Buntingford's geography or policing strategies contribute to this trend. However, the 100% increases in shoplifting, robbery, and other theft—though starting from zero—hint at potential shifts that require further local analysis.

January 2026 saw a marked shift in crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences decreasing by 53.6% compared to the previous month, despite remaining the most common category at 43.3% of total crimes. This drop may reflect seasonal trends, such as reduced social gatherings during the post-holiday period. Conversely, other theft, shoplifting, and robbery each saw 100% increases from zero to three incidents, a shift that contrasts with the area's usual low levels of property crime. Violence and sexual offences in Buntingford were 44% below the UK average, highlighting a divergence from national trends. The absence of property crime spikes—despite the post-holiday period—suggests that local factors, such as the town's character as a smaller built-up area with limited retail density, may mitigate opportunities for such offences. Residents may find the 100% increase in shoplifting, though starting from zero, an unusual but isolated data point warranting local scrutiny.

Buntingford's crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 34.9% compared to the previous month, falling from 5.0 to 3.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the post-holiday seasonal context, where reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may limit opportunities for certain crimes. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the area's consistently low overall crime profile. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-305 residents underscores the rarity of crime in Buntingford relative to its size. This contrasts sharply with the UK average, where residents face a 1-in-147 chance of a reported crime monthly. The low daily rate and population-scaled perspective suggest that local factors—such as community cohesion, policing presence, or geographic isolation—may contribute to this disparity, though these remain speculative without further data.