Bourne Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Bourne's crime profile in December 2024, accounting for 36.8% of all reported crimes. Despite this, the overall crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents remained 36.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent pattern of lower-than-average crime in this built-up area within South Kesteven. The seasonal context of December — with its long evenings, Christmas shopping peak, and empty homes over the holiday period — likely contributed to the mix of crime types observed. Anti-social behaviour (21.8% of total crimes) and violence and sexual offences (36.8%) were the most prevalent categories, though both were below UK averages for their respective types. This suggests that while the area faces specific local challenges, its overall crime environment remains comparatively safer than the national average. The lower property crime rate (25 total crimes, or 28.7% of the total) compared to violent crime may indicate a focus on interpersonal issues rather than property-related incidents, which could be linked to the area's character as a mixed residential and commercial hub. The relatively low vehicle crime rate (0.1 per 1,000) and shoplifting rate (0.3 per 1,000) — both 47% and 50% below UK averages respectively — further highlight the area's distinct crime profile. These figures, combined with the seasonal factors of December, suggest that community engagement and local policing strategies may be playing a role in maintaining this lower-than-average crime environment despite the challenges posed by the holiday season.

December 2024 saw significant shifts in Bourne's crime mix, with violence and sexual offences dropping by 27.3% compared to November (from 44 to 32 cases). This decrease, combined with the 50% reduction in shoplifting (from 10 to 5 incidents), suggests a potential seasonal dip in opportunistic crimes during the Christmas period. However, three categories saw notable increases: drugs-related crimes rose 100% (from 0 to 1), other crime increased 100% (from 0 to 5), and vehicle crime doubled (from 1 to 2). These upward trends, though small in absolute terms, warrant attention given their potential to indicate emerging issues. The area's performance against UK averages also reveals contrasts — while violence and sexual offences were 34% below the national rate (2.6 per 1,000), anti-social behaviour was 6% above the UK average (0.9 per 1,000). This divergence highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific areas, such as the 87% increase in 'other crime' (0.3 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. For residents, the 50% drop in shoplifting could be particularly relevant, as it may reflect the impact of increased police patrols or community initiatives around local retail areas during the festive season.

Bourne's crime rate in December 2024 (4.5 per 1,000) marked an 8.3% decrease from November's rate of 4.9 per 1,000, illustrating a modest but consistent trend towards lower crime levels. This monthly decline, when combined with the area's 36.6% deficit against the UK average, positions Bourne as a relatively safe place to live compared to both its previous month's figures and the national context. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in December, a local metric that does not directly compare to UK-wide figures but provides a tangible measure for residents. Over the course of the month, the 87 reported crimes translated to one crime for every 222 residents — a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. This figure, when considered alongside Bourne's population of 19,291, suggests that the community's crime environment remains relatively stable despite the seasonal pressures of December. The area's built-up character within South Kesteven likely plays a role in these figures, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces potentially contributing to both the lower property crime rates and the specific focus on violent and anti-social incidents. These statistics, when viewed through the lens of population density and local demographics, offer a nuanced picture of Bourne's crime profile that aligns with its historical trends of maintaining lower-than-average crime levels.