Benson Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 saw Benson maintain its position as one of the UK's safest built-up areas, with a crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents — 73.2% below the national average of 8.2. Despite this overall safety, the data reveals concerning trends in specific crime categories. Criminal damage and arson, which accounted for 21.4% of all reported crimes, saw a 100% increase compared to July, raising questions about targeted vandalism during the summer holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, though down 70% from July, still comprised 21.4% of total crimes, suggesting persistent challenges in addressing interpersonal conflicts. Public order offences, at 14.3% of total crimes, remained low, 52% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the area's generally orderly community dynamics. Seasonal factors may partly explain these patterns: August's peak tourism period could have contributed to increased property crime risks through empty homes, though Benson's overall crime rate remains exceptionally low. The area's compact, rural-adjacent built-up character likely plays a role in its consistently low crime profile compared to larger urban centres.

August 2024 marked a 100% increase in criminal damage and arson cases, rising from zero to three incidents. This spike aligns with seasonal patterns, as August is typically a peak period for tourism and holiday-related property vulnerabilities. Burglary also rose 100% from one to two incidents, possibly linked to increased absenteeism during the summer months. Possession of weapons saw a 100% increase to one reported case, a category where Benson's rate is 186% above the UK average — a statistic that deserves closer attention from local authorities. Conversely, shoplifting and violence and sexual offences both declined sharply: shoplifting fell by 50% to one incident, while violence and sexual offences dropped 70% to three cases. This contrast highlights the uneven nature of crime trends, with property-related offences showing more volatility than violent crimes. Residents should remain vigilant about potential vandalism in public spaces, given the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson. The data also shows Benson's violent crime rate is 81% below the UK average, suggesting that while localised issues exist, the area's overall safety remains intact.

Benson's crime rate in August 2024 (2.2 per 1,000) represents a 36.3% decrease from July's 3.4 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend in local crime. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 0 crimes per day over the 31-day period — a figure that underscores the low baseline of criminal activity in this built-up area. When scaled to the local population of 6,483 residents, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 463 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 122 residents. The stark contrast between Benson and national averages is amplified by specific categories: for example, violence and sexual offences in Benson are 81% below the UK average, while possession of weapons is 186% above — a rare anomaly that may reflect unique local circumstances. These statistics illustrate an area with generally low crime levels but occasional spikes in specific offence types. For residents, the data suggests that while everyday safety is strong, targeted awareness of property-related risks during holidays remains important.