Bourne Crime Rate

Bourne is a secure and welcoming market town with an overall crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to an excellent safety score of 86/100. Although the town has seen a 6.8% increase in crime over the last year, it remains one of the safer urban settlements in the region. This report provides a detailed analysis of local crime trends, the types of offences reported, and temporal patterns to help residents better understand the safety profile of their community.

In Bourne, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 39.7% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 24.3%, followed by public order offences at 7.1%. Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 14.3 per 1,000 residents. While this is relatively low, it still presents a risk to local homeowners. Burglary specifically accounts for 2.1% of total crime, with 24 incidents reported over the last year. Vehicle crime represents 3.7% of the total. For residents, these figures highlight that while violent crime is the highest statistical category, the protection of homes and cars remains an important consideration for daily safety.

Bourne has seen a moderate increase in crime over the past year, with a year-over-year rise of 6.8%. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a fluctuating trend. The year started with a crime rate of 4.5 in December, rising to a peak of 6.0 in March 2025. After some mid-year variation, the rate reached another high of 5.9 in August. By the end of the period in November, the rate stood at 5.1. While Bourne remains a very safe town statistically, this upward trend suggests that residents should be aware of a slight increase in local criminal activity compared to previous years. Monitoring these monthly patterns can help the community stay informed about when crime is most likely to occur.

How To Keep Safe in Bourne

The most common crime in Bourne is violence and sexual offences, which account for nearly 40% of all reports. To stay safe, residents should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Sticking to well-lit, familiar routes and telling someone your expected arrival time can enhance personal security.

Anti-social behaviour is also a notable concern at 24.3%. Reporting any persistent issues to the local neighbourhood policing team can help ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed. Regarding property safety, although the burglary rate is low, it is still wise to ensure all doors and windows are locked when you leave the house. For vehicle security, given that vehicle crime accounts for 3.7% of reports, always remove valuables from sight and ensure your car is parked in a well-lit area or a locked garage if possible. Simple measures like installing motion-sensor lights can also provide an effective deterrent against opportunistic theft.

Crime in Bourne exhibits distinct patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. Daytime hours, specifically from 6am to 6pm, are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 45% of morning crimes and 49% of afternoon crimes. This is likely due to the higher concentration of people in the town's retail and commercial areas. In the evening, the profile shifts, with "other" crimes (including public order and anti-social behaviour) making up 50% of the reports between 6pm and 12am. Overnight, from 12am to 6am, vehicle crime becomes the most prominent threat, representing 43% of all reported incidents during this period. Burglary remains a steady risk, peaking slightly in the afternoon and night at 16% of those periods' crimes. These patterns suggest that while daytime theft is common, vehicle and property security should be the primary concern for residents during the late-night hours.

Bourne serves as a key urban centre for its surrounding villages, which is reflected in its crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000. This is higher than the nearby villages of Thurlby (40.8), Morton (37.5), and Baston (16.7), all of which report lower crime density. Another nearby area, Witham on the Hill, reports 0.0 crimes per 1,000. While Bourne is the busiest in this cluster, its safety score of 86/100 still places it well above the national average, making it a safe town relative to broader UK statistics. Residents of Bourne benefit from a secure environment while having access to the amenities of a larger settlement.

In Bourne, the property crime rate of 14.3 per 1,000 residents indicates a low but present risk of theft and burglary. Traditional security methods, such as standard alarms or CCTV cameras, are often reactive—they only notify you once a crime has been committed or provide footage of the event after the fact. For homeowners who want to prevent crime from occurring, scOS offers a proactive AI-driven solution. By monitoring your property's perimeter, scOS can detect suspicious activity before an intruder gains access to your home. The system's multi-camera intelligence and autonomous response features, such as activating deterrent lighting, are designed to stop criminals in their tracks. In a quiet town like Bourne, where a visible security presence can be a powerful deterrent, scOS provides the kind of high-level protection that makes opportunistic burglars move on to easier targets.