Bestwood Village Crime Rate

Bestwood Village maintains a strong safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 68.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 85/100. While the national average safety score is 78, Bestwood Village stands out as a particularly secure residential area. However, it is important to note that crime has seen an increasing trend of 8.5% over the past year. This rise, while from a relatively low baseline, suggests a need for continued community awareness. The local crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, though property crime also factors into the overall statistics. The following sections provide a deeper dive into the specific crime types, temporal patterns, and how Bestwood Village compares to its neighbours in the Gedling local authority.

Crime in Bestwood Village

Crime in Bestwood Village is characterised by three primary types of offences. Violence and sexual offences are the most common, representing 35.7% of all reports with 55 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant, accounting for 24.7% of the total, followed by criminal damage and arson at 10.4%. Together, these categories make up the majority of police activity in the village, reflecting a mix of personal and community-based issues.

Property crime is a notable factor for residents, with an overall rate of 19.1 per 1,000 people per year. This category includes offences such as burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Specifically, there were 14 incidents of "other theft," 6 vehicle crimes, and 4 burglaries reported in the last year. While the burglary rate is relatively low at 1.8 per 1,000, the broader category of property crime indicates that residents and homeowners should remain attentive to the security of their assets. Theft and vehicle-related offences are often opportunistic, meaning that visible security measures can be highly effective. For those living in Bestwood Village, the data suggests that while the area is statistically safe, protecting one's home and vehicle remains a practical necessity to guard against the most frequent types of property-related offences.

Crime Trends in Bestwood Village

Over the last twelve months, Bestwood Village has experienced an 8.5% increase in overall crime. While the village remains a safe area compared to national averages, this upward trend suggests that criminal activity is becoming more frequent. Looking at the monthly data, we can see that crime rates were relatively low at the end of 2024, with December recording a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 people.

However, as 2025 progressed, the crime rate began to climb steadily. Significant peaks were observed between April and July, with rates consistently hitting 7.1 and reaching a high of 7.6 in July. This mid-year spike suggests that warmer months may see an increase in certain types of offences, potentially linked to increased outdoor activity. The rate began to subside towards the end of the year, falling back to 3.6 by October. This pattern of a summer peak followed by a winter decline is common in many UK settlements, but the overall year-on-year increase indicates that residents should remain more vigilant than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Bestwood Village

The most common crime in Bestwood Village is violence and sexual offences, followed closely by anti-social behaviour. To maintain personal safety and contribute to a secure community, residents should take a proactive approach to their environment.

1. Stay alert when walking through the village, particularly in the evenings. Avoid using headphones or mobile phones in a way that distracts you from your surroundings.
2. If you witness anti-social behaviour or feel threatened by groups in public areas, do not engage; instead, move to a safe, populated location and report the incident to the police.
3. Improve your home's "defensible space" by ensuring hedges are trimmed to provide clear lines of sight and installing motion-activated lighting around all entry points.
4. Participate in or help establish a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to foster community communication and ensure that suspicious activity is quickly identified and reported.
5. Secure all outbuildings, sheds, and garages with robust locks, as these are often targets for opportunistic theft and criminal damage.

Crime in Bestwood Village exhibits clear temporal trends. During the daylight hours, theft is the most prevalent issue, accounting for 51% of morning crimes and 56% of afternoon crimes. This suggests that opportunistic theft is a significant concern when residents are away from home or when commercial activity is at its peak. As the evening approaches, the crime profile shifts towards "other" categories, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, making up 54% of evening activity. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property-specific risks, with vehicle crime rising to 31% and burglary to 16% of all recorded incidents. These patterns indicate that while personal safety and theft are daytime priorities, the protection of homes and vehicles becomes the primary concern overnight. Understanding these shifts allows residents to better target their security efforts throughout the 24-hour cycle.

In the context of the surrounding region, Bestwood Village is a relatively safe haven. Its crime rate of 68.4 is notably lower than the nearby town of Hucknall, which experiences a much higher rate of 96.5 per 1,000. It also compares favourably to Arnold, which has a rate of 71.0. For those looking for the absolute lowest crime rates in the area, the tiny settlements of Papplewick and Linby both recorded 0.0 crimes, though these are much smaller communities. Bestwood Village offers a middle ground, providing a safe, village-like environment while being close to the amenities and higher-activity areas of Nottinghamshire. This makes it a popular choice for residents who prioritise safety without being entirely isolated from urban conveniences.

With a property crime rate of 19.1 per 1,000 people in Bestwood Village, homeowners should consider more than just basic security. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide evidence after a crime has occurred, which does little to prevent the initial intrusion. In contrast, scOS offers a proactive approach to home security using advanced AI.

The scOS operating system monitors all your cameras simultaneously, using multi-camera intelligence to identify threats at the property boundary. For Bestwood Village residents, this means the system can distinguish between a delivery person and someone loitering near your vehicle at 3am. By detecting threats early, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audio warnings—to deter a criminal before they even reach your door. This proactive deterrence is particularly effective against the opportunistic theft and vehicle crime seen in the area. By choosing a system that prevents rather than just records, you are investing in genuine security and long-term peace of mind for your household.