The question of whether Bar Hill is safe to walk around at night requires a nuanced understanding of the available data. Bar Hill, a built-up area (BUA) in South Cambridgeshire with a population of 4981, presents a mixed picture when considering nighttime safety.
Overall, Bar Hill’s safety score is 85/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79/100, suggesting a generally safer environment. However, the critical element here is the night safety score, which sits at a concerning 10/100. This indicates a significantly lower level of safety during nighttime hours compared to daytime.
To further contextualise this, let's examine the crime rate. Bar Hill has a crime rate of 73.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, suggesting that, statistically, fewer crimes occur in Bar Hill overall. However, the low night safety score implies that those crimes are more likely to occur, or be perceived as more concerning, when people are out after dark.
It's important to note that safety scores are calculated using a combination of factors, including crime statistics, resident perceptions, and environmental factors like lighting and pedestrian traffic. A low night safety score could be influenced by several factors, such as reduced visibility, fewer people on the streets, or a perceived lack of police presence.
While the lower crime rate compared to the national average is positive, the stark difference between the overall safety score and the night safety score warrants caution. Individuals considering walking around Bar Hill at night should be particularly vigilant, avoid poorly lit areas, and ideally travel in groups or inform someone of their route and expected return time. Always trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it.