Bourne Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile in Bourne, accounting for 37.8% of the 90 reported crimes in October 2024. This category, with a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 residents, is 33% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. The area's overall crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents is 42% below the UK average of 8.1, reflecting a consistently lower level of criminal activity compared to national trends. Anti-social behaviour and other theft follow as the next most common categories, each contributing 20% and 10% of total crimes respectively. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—likely contributes to patterns in violent crime and anti-social behaviour. While the town’s built-up character may foster community cohesion, the low rates of burglary and vehicle crime suggest effective local deterrence strategies. The absence of significant spikes in property crime contrasts with the sharp rise in violent incidents, which may reflect broader societal factors or local dynamics not captured by the data alone.

October 2024 saw a 300% increase in shoplifting, rising from one to four incidents, a shift that may be linked to Halloween-related activity or seasonal retail patterns. Burglary and robbery both doubled compared to the previous month, with two and one incidents respectively, though these remain far below UK averages. Conversely, public order offences fell by 37.5%, from eight to five, potentially reflecting reduced alcohol-fuelled incidents during the month. Vehicle crime also decreased by 33.3%, aligning with the broader trend of property crimes remaining well below national levels. Violence and sexual offences, while the most common category, are still 33% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing or demographic characteristics—may contribute to this gap. The sharp rise in shoplifting, however, highlights a vulnerability in retail security that warrants attention. Residents may find the 72% deficit in shoplifting compared to the UK average (0.7 per 1,000) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk profiles.

Bourne’s crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents in October 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, with a -1.1% change. This consistency contrasts with national trends, where the UK average stands at 8.1 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged three incidents per day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 214 residents. This figure, while low, underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance in a built-up area with a population of 19,291. When compared to the UK average, Bourne’s residents face significantly lower risks for most crime categories, particularly in violent crime (33% below) and anti-social behaviour (30% below). However, the sharp increase in shoplifting raises questions about whether local retail environments or seasonal factors are creating new vulnerabilities. The stability in overall crime rates suggests that existing measures—whether community-based or enforcement-driven—are effective, though targeted interventions may be needed to address the rise in shoplifting and the small upticks in burglary and robbery.