Bow Brickhill Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Bow Brickhill reports a high overall crime rate of 133.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, substantially exceeding the UK national average of 93.1 per 1,000. This elevated rate results in a Safety Score of 71 out of 100, which is below the typical UK average of 78. The crime trend over the last year has remained stable, showing a negligible decrease of -0.4% year-over-year. The following analysis focuses on the specific crime types driving this high rate, notably the high concentration of anti-social behaviour and violence, and provides localized context for residents.

Crime Type Breakdown

The crime profile in Bow Brickhill is highly skewed towards social and behavioural issues. Violence and sexual offences account for 33.3% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 44.5 per 1,000 people. Crucially, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common offence, making up a significant 26.0% of all crime, at 34.7 per 1,000. This unusually high proportion of Anti-social behaviour is a primary driver of the area's high overall crime rate. Other theft ranks third (10.0% of total crime, 13.3 per 1,000).

The property-related crime rate stands close to the national average at 32.4 per 1,000 residents. This category includes Criminal damage and arson (6.9%), Burglary (3.9%), and Vehicle crime (3.5%). While the property crime rate itself is not exceptionally high, the sheer volume of theft, particularly 'Other theft', suggests that opportunistic crime targeting unattended possessions and properties is a considerable risk. Residents must be vigilant about securing personal items and property boundaries to counter these prevalent opportunist threats.

Crime Trends in Bow Brickhill

The crime trend in Bow Brickhill has been stable over the past year, showing a minor decrease of -0.4% year-over-year. Despite this stability, the overall crime rate remains very high. The monthly data reveals significant fluctuation in activity. Rates were relatively lower in April (5.2 per 1,000) and December (8.1 per 1,000).

The area experienced notable peaks in activity during the summer and autumn. The highest rate was recorded in October (17.4 per 1,000), followed by July (14.5 per 1,000) and June (12.7 per 1,000). This suggests that criminal activity is particularly concentrated during the late summer and early autumn months. The sharp fluctuation and high peaks underscore the need for sustained vigilance, particularly during these vulnerable periods.

How To Keep Safe in Bow Brickhill

Anti-social behaviour is the second most prevalent crime in Bow Brickhill, accounting for 26.0% of all incidents, which is exceptionally high. Reducing exposure to and reporting this behaviour is critical for local safety.

1. Address Anti-social Behaviour Directly: Report all instances of anti-social behaviour promptly to the local police or council to ensure data reflects the issue and resources are allocated.
2. Secure Personal Items Against Theft: Given the high rate of 'Other theft', never leave valuables unsecured in public view, including in gardens, vehicles, or unlocked sheds.
3. Enhance Community Vigilance: Work with neighbours to establish or strengthen Neighbourhood Watch schemes to collectively monitor and deter public disorder and theft.
4. Avoid Conflict: Due to the high rates of both anti-social behaviour and violence, avoid engaging in disputes and remove yourself from situations involving public order issues.

Time Patterns of Crime

Crime in Bow Brickhill is heavily concentrated during the day and early evening. The Afternoon period (12pm-6pm) is the riskiest, with Theft accounting for an exceptionally high 63% of all offences in this window, driven by opportunism and residential vacancy. Morning hours (6am-12pm) also show a high proportion of Theft (60%). The Evening (6pm-12am) shifts, with 37% of offences falling into the 'Other' category, reflecting the high Anti-social behaviour rate, alongside Theft (30%). The Night period (12am-6am) sees Vehicle crime (29%) and Burglary (27%) take precedence, as criminals target unattended properties and vehicles under the cover of darkness.

Regional Crime Context

Bow Brickhill’s crime rate of 133.6 per 1,000 is the highest among its immediate neighbours and significantly higher than the UK average. It dwarfs the rates of nearby settlements like Woburn Sands (21.5 per 1,000) and Aspley Guise (34.8 per 1,000). This contrast suggests that Bow Brickhill faces specific localized challenges, potentially related to its geography or transport links. The comparison with Wavendon and Little Brickhill, which report very low specific crime rates (0.0 per 1,000), further highlights that Bow Brickhill is an outlier with a markedly higher risk profile compared to the surrounding rural and smaller settlements.

Property Protection and Proactive Security

With property crime near the national average (32.4 per 1,000) and high rates of 'Other theft', homeowners in Bow Brickhill need effective security. Relying on traditional CCTV, which only records incidents, is a reactive approach that fails to prevent the theft or damage caused by high levels of anti-social behaviour and opportunism.

A superior alternative is proactive, AI-powered security like scOS. This professional system uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor the property perimeter, detecting threats before they reach the building. The autonomous response—activating lights and speakers—immediately destroys the element of surprise, which is crucial for deterring opportunistic criminals. By installing visible, professional-grade deterrence, residents can make their property a non-viable target, forcing the high volume of local opportunists to move on.