Bretforton Crime Rate

Bretforton is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 42.4 per 1,000 people. This rate is substantially lower than the UK average of 91.6, contributing to an impressive safety score of 89/100. Compared to the national average safety score of 79, Bretforton offers a secure environment for its residents. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 20.3% year-over-year. This reduction indicates a strengthening of local security and community safety. While violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type reported, the low overall volume of incidents ensures the area remains a peaceful place to live. The following analysis explores the specific crime breakdowns and temporal patterns within the village.

Crime in Bretforton

In Bretforton, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 47.1% of all reported crimes. This occurs at a rate of 19.9 per 1,000 residents. Other significant categories include public order offences (11.8%) and criminal damage and arson (9.8%).

Property crime in Bretforton—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—is relatively low at 11.6 per 1,000 people. This is well below the UK average for property crime, which stands at 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for 9.8% of total incidents, while other theft also represents 7.8%. Interestingly, vehicle crime was not a significant factor in the data for this period. For homeowners, the statistics suggest that while the overall crime rate is low, the high proportion of violence and public order offences indicates that community-level safety and personal security are more prominent concerns than widespread property theft. Nevertheless, the burglary rate of 4.2 per 1,000 reminds residents that basic home security should not be overlooked.

Bretforton is currently seeing a positive downward trend in crime, with total incidents falling by 20.3% year-over-year. This is an encouraging sign for the community, indicating that the area is becoming safer. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year started with higher activity, reaching 5.8 per 1,000 in both January and February.

However, as the year progressed, the crime rate generally declined. By the late summer and autumn, rates plummeted to as low as 0.8 per 1,000 in August, September, and December. There was a slight mid-year peak in June at 6.7 per 1,000, but this was an isolated spike rather than a sustained increase. The overall trajectory suggests that the measures taken by the community and local authorities are having a beneficial effect, making Bretforton one of the more improving areas in terms of safety within the Wychavon local authority.

How To Keep Safe in Bretforton

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Bretforton, making up 47.1% of the total. While the overall crime volume is low, personal safety and community awareness are key. To enhance your safety:

• Utilise Personal Safety Measures: When walking alone at night, stick to well-lit areas and let a friend or family member know your route. Consider using a safety app that shares your location with trusted contacts.
• Encourage Community Vigilance: Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Communities that look out for one another are often more effective at deterring anti-social behaviour and public order offences.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Even if it seems minor, reporting unusual behaviour to the non-emergency police line (101) helps build an accurate picture of local activity and can prevent escalating incidents.
• Stay Informed: Keep up to date with local community groups or newsletters. Being aware of any recent local trends allows you to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your property.

The timing of crimes in Bretforton shows specific concentrations, particularly regarding property offences. Burglary is most likely to occur during the night, with 49% of such incidents recorded between 12am and 6am. This highlights a clear vulnerability during the early hours when most residents are asleep.

Theft-related crimes are more evenly spread but show a peak in the morning (6am-12pm) at 40% and the afternoon (12pm-6pm) at 37%. This pattern suggests that opportunistic thefts are more common during the day when there is more general movement in the village. Interestingly, the evening period (6pm-12am) is characterised by a lower percentage of theft (15%) but a higher proportion of "other" crimes, which likely includes the public order and anti-social behaviour offences noted in the general breakdown. For residents, these patterns emphasize the need for robust night-time security for homes, while remaining mindful of personal belongings during the busier daylight hours.

In the local context of Wychavon, Bretforton compares favourably to several nearby areas. Its crime rate of 42.4 per 1,000 is significantly lower than Honeybourne, which recorded a rate of 63.9. It is very similar in safety to Badsey, which stands at 41.1 per 1,000. However, the area is more active than the smaller hamlets of Blackminster and Weston-sub-Edge, both of which reported zero crimes per 1,000 people during the same period. For those looking to settle in the region, Bretforton offers a balanced profile: it is a vibrant community with much lower crime than larger neighbouring hubs, though it naturally sees more activity than the most isolated rural settlements. Overall, it remains a high-safety choice within the regional market.

With a property crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000, Bretforton is statistically secure, but the nature of burglary—which accounts for nearly 10% of local crime—requires a serious approach to home protection. Traditional security systems often fail because they are reactive; a doorbell camera that alerts you once someone is already at your door is often too late to prevent a determined intruder.

For residents seeking the highest level of security, scOS offers a proactive alternative. By using AI to monitor multiple cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies threats at the property boundary. This means the system can intervene before a break-in occurs. Features like autonomous response—where lights and speakers activate to surprise an intruder—are designed to make burglars move on immediately. In a quiet area like Bretforton, where criminals rely on stealth, a visible and intelligent system like scOS provides a powerful deterrent. Choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it ensures that your home security is an active shield rather than just a witness.