Safe and secure
We want everyone to feel safe and secure in their community. We want to live in a place that is tolerant and welcoming, has a very low crime rate, and where people live alongside each other in harmony.
Opportunities
Build on the sense of community that already exists to develop a strong sense of safety and support — for example, by expanding Central Bedfordshire’s existing network of Neighbourhood Watch schemes, increasing opportunities for neighbours to meet, and building inclusive communities that meet the needs of our harder-to-reach residents.
Increase the importance of community policing and volunteering schemes such as police special constables, Police Community Support Officers and other community-led approaches.
Take a cultural and community-based approach towards crime prevention that meets local needs. Increase leisure and cultural activities available — including sports clubs, youth centres, volunteer networks and outreach programmes.
Challenges
Increasing resource and provision of public services — such as more police on the street — can be difficult and dependent on central government spending commitments.
The rural nature of much of Central Bedfordshire can make effective allocation of police resource difficult due to low population density.
Trends
Decrease in crime
According to a national survey, 81% of people said they believed that crime in England had risen in the last 10 years. In reality, there has been a decrease in the overall level of crime committed in the last 4 years.
Crime below the national average
Although Bedfordshire reports slightly higher crime rates than other police constabularies in the East of England, Bedfordshire’s overall crime rate (85.0 offences per 1,000 population) is still well below the national average of 89.3.
Crime is a high priority
Central Bedfordshire residents report crime and antisocial behaviour as a high priority for improvement. Only 72% of residents feel safe after dark — a 9% decrease since 2016. There is a rising, albeit minority, concern over antisocial behaviours, especially unauthorised gypsy encampments and fly-tipping.
Knife crime
While violent offences such as knife crime create considerable concern for communities, evidence shows that knife crime is much more likely to take place in dense urban areas, such as London. In 2019, knife crime rates in Bedfordshire stood at 89 offences per 100,000 population, compared to 168 in London.