Crime in Milton Keynes

How safe is Milton Keynes?

Milton Keynes is the largest town within the Buckinghamshire region. An estimated 260,000 plus people live in Milton Keynes, and that figure is only growing (Milton-keynes.gov). So, with a growing population, specifically among younger people, how Is the area fairing against crime?

According to recent research conducted by confused.com Milton Keynes is ranked as the 5th safest city to live in in the UK! That is an impressive figure for the rapidly growing new town.

However, in recent years the level of violent crime in the area has risen. According to Thames Valley Police, 9,301 incidents of violent crime were recorded in the last 12 months. This is an increase compared to the previous year of 19% (miltonkeynes.co.uk). Milton Keynes knife crime rate is at 10 crimes per 10,000 people. This is amongst the worst in the country (BBC).

How do these figures compare to the rest of the UK?

Per 1,000 people living in Milton Keynes, on average there were 34.5 crimes. Comparing that to the national average of 30.1 in England and Wales, Milton Keynes is higher than the national average for violent crime (miltonkeynes.co.uk). This would rank Milton Keynes 40th out of a total of 104 postcode areas in England and Wales according to Plumplot.co.uk statistics. However, an increase in violent crime can be seen all over England and wales as well, which is a worrying trend for years to come.

So why is Milton Keynes’ violent crime rate increasing steadily each year, when it is ranked within the top 10 safest cities in the UK?

A large factor behind the rising cases of violent crime in Milton Keynes is stalking and harassment. These crimes rose by over 50% compared to the previous year. Thames Valley Police are also working hard to combat knife crime and serious violence in Milton Keynes, which is another crime rate that is increasing in the area (thamesvalley.police.uk).

Other types of crime

Violent crime is not the only area where cases are rising. Cases of criminal damage and arson raised by 10% last year and theft offences had a rise in cases too. This is alongside rising drug offences, possession of weapons, public order offences and sexual offences. So, with all these rising cases of criminal offences, Milton Keynes looks as though its spot in the top 10 safest cities to live in the UK is at risk.

How to stay safe

With such worrying statistics being recorded it is important that you know how to stay safe and protected against such crimes. Rising crime levels in Milton Keynes are affecting residents and businesses, so it is important to know how to protect yourself, others, and your business. There are many things you can do to help stop crime. Here are the top tips for staying safe against crime in Milton Keynes for residents and visitors:

· Keep valuables such as mobile phones and wallets out of sight.

· Keep all bags closed securely to prevent thieves taking items from them.

· Be careful when using cash machines and ensure no one is hovering near you.

· Be aware of your surroundings all the time.

Top tips for businesses to protect themselves against crime:

· Protect your business with security guards and officers.

· Use surveillance systems in your business such as CCTV monitoring.

· Secure your premises, equipment, and stock.

· Carry out risk assessments to find out how you are most vulnerable to crime and how to prevent it.

If you own a business in Milton Keynes, such as retail or construction, Thames Valley Police have put together some crime prevention advice (https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/) that is worth looking at. It includes information such as how to prevent shoplifting and vandalism from affecting your business.

Our services within Milton Keynes

Having trained, licensed guards such as those offered here at Region Security dramatically helps to protect your business against crimes such as theft, damage, and vandalism.

We have security guards operating throughout Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. We also cover retail, construction, and warehouse security in the Milton Keynes areas and in many locations throughout the UK. Visit our Milton Keynes Security Company page for more information on how we can help you stay protected against crime. Check out the original article here!