Milton Keynes, the vibrant new town in Buckinghamshire, blends urban design with community spirit. But like any bustling hub, questions about safety often arise. What’s the Milton Keynes crime rate really like in 2025? Is Milton Keynes safe to live in? This guide will unpack the latest statistics, compare them regionally and nationally, explore causes behind the trends, highlight safe and risky areas, and share practical tips for staying secure. Just read on to learn more.
The Latest Milton Keynes Crime Statistics (2024-2025)
Crime levels in Milton Keynes have seen some ups and downs over the past few years. Police data for the 12 months ending in August 2025 shows an overall rate of 57.42 crimes per 1,000 people during the day, giving the city a Crime Rate Index of 0.84—about 16% lower than the national average of 1.0.
However, there has been a 17% rise in total reported crimes compared to last year, increasing from 498 to 584 incidents. Looking at a three-year period, total offences are up by about 8%, and the city’s crime risk score has grown by roughly 19 points. These numbers suggest that while Milton Keynes remains safer than many UK cities, it still faces new challenges as it continues to grow and urbanise.
To have a clearer view of the crime rate in Milton Keynes, let’s have a look at offences by type.
Violence and Sexual Offences: The most common category, at 25.23 per 1,000 daytime population (CrimeRate Index 0.84). There were 257 recorded incidents, up 12% year-on-year.
Shoplifting: 3.64 per 1,000 (Index 0.50) with 37 offences.
Anti-Social Behaviour: 6.59 per 1,000 (Index 0.46) with 67 cases.
Vehicle Crime: 7.92 per 1,000 (Index 1.77) and 81 cases, marking a 92% increase over three years.
Public Order Offences: 4.41 per 1,000 (Index 0.75) with 45 reports.
Criminal Damage and Arson: 4.93 per 1,000 (Index 0.78) with 50 cases.
Other Theft: 4.13 per 1,000 (Index 0.77) with 42 reports, mostly petty thefts and pickpocketing.
Burglary: 1.87 per 1,000 (Index 0.63) with 19 offences, lower than the UK average, partly due to widespread use of outdoor and indoor security cameras as well as alarm systems.
Drugs Offences: 1.50 per 1,000 (Index 0.60) with 15 incidents, up modestly year-over-year.
Robbery: 0.60 per 1,000 (Index 1.33) with 6 reports, rare but concentrated in a few high-risk areas.
Bicycle Theft: 0.90 per 1,000 (Index 1.84) with 9 cases, a notable spike compared to nearby towns.
Theft from the Person: 0.50 per 1,000 (Index 0.68) with 5 incidents.
Possession of Weapons: 0.40 per 1,000 (Index 1.48) with 4 offences, Milton Keynes's least common crime.
Other Crime: 1.39 per 1,000 (Index 1.10) with 14 recorded incidents, including fraud and miscellaneous offences.
Milton Keynes Crime Rate in Regional and National Context
Milton Keynes is considered one of the safer large cities in the UK, with an overall crime rate of 57 crimes per 1,000 people—around 21% lower than the national average.
The most common offences are violent and sexual crimes, recorded at 25.23 per 1,000 people, which is 16% below national levels. However, a few types of crime sit above national averages, including vehicle crime (7.92 per 1,000, 77% higher), weapon possession (0.40, 48% higher), and robbery (0.60, 33% higher).
When compared with other major UK cities, Milton Keynes performs well. It has noticeably fewer crimes than Sheffield (82.8), Cardiff (83.1), Liverpool (97.4), Birmingham (102.9), and Leeds (108.6).
Regionally, Milton Keynes has the highest crime levels in Buckinghamshire, ranking 39th out of 216 areas. Still, it sits 3.5% below the county average of 60 per 1,000 and 9% safer than the South East regional average of 62.97 per 1,000.
These numbers show that while Milton Keynes is generally safe, some neighbourhoods, especially those with more vehicle crime, can benefit from extra vigilance. Installing CCTV or outdoor security cameras can help residents protect vehicles, watch over entry points, and boost overall community safety.
What’s Driving Crime Trends in Milton Keynes?
While Milton Keynes is generally safe, the city’s overall crime rate has been rising, and several factors are driving this increase. Here are the main reasons behind the trend:
- Population Growth and Urban Areas: The city now has more than 280,000 people, and it’s still growing fast. With busier shopping centres, train stations, and nightlife areas, there are simply more chances for theft, shoplifting, and other small crimes.
- Money Pressures: Rising prices and financial stress have made some crimes more common. Shoplifting has gone up by more than 300% in the last three years, and drug offences have risen by about 40%. Many of these cases are linked to the cost-of-living crisis.
- More Reports of Violence: Crimes such as stalking and harassment are being reported more often. While this adds to the numbers, it also shows that more people now feel confident reporting these issues to the police.
- Busy Nightlife and Public Areas: Crime tends to happen more around pubs, bars, and transport hubs, especially at night. Crowds, alcohol, and travel activity often lead to more disturbances and petty crime.
Safest Areas in Milton Keynes
If you are planning to move or visit, it’s worth knowing which parts of Milton Keynes are the most secure. Here are the areas with below-average crime levels, offering residents a safe and relaxed suburban lifestyle.
Shenley Church End: Known for its quiet streets and low levels of violence and theft.
West Bletchley: A family-friendly area with a strong sense of community and low anti-social behaviour.
Broughton: Offer modern housing and good security, with very few property-related incidents.
Shenley Brook End: One of the most peaceful wards in Buckinghamshire, ideal for families and professionals.
Stantonbury: Benefits from active community watch programs and consistent local policing presence.
Top Dangerous Areas in Milton Keynes
Some parts of Milton Keynes experience higher crime rates, usually concentrated around central and high-traffic locations, where nightlife, transport links, and commercial activity attract more incidents.
Woughton on the Green: The city’s main hotspot, with higher levels of violence and anti-social behaviour.
Bletchley and Fenny Stratford: Face more frequent theft and public order issues, especially around busier commercial zones.
Wolverton and Greenleys: Experience vehicle-related crimes and assaults, often near transport hubs.
Bradwell: Affected by criminal damage and drug-related offences.
Campbell Park: The Central location contributes to more shoplifting and occasional robberies.
For those living in or near these areas, improving home security can add extra peace of mind. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 is a great option for keeping an eye on your front door. It features dual 2K HD cameras that give a full view from head to toe, clear night vision, and smart AI detection for people and packages. With two-way talk, it helps you stay aware and feel safer at home.
How to Stay Safer in Milton Keynes
While the Milton Keynes crime rate remains moderate and generally below the national average, it’s crucial to take a few extra precautions.
Personal Awareness: Stay alert in crowded areas, avoid isolated routes at night, and travel with others when possible to reduce the risk of assault or theft.
Community Engagement: Join Neighbourhood Watch groups or community safety apps to receive alerts and contribute to collective vigilance.
Report Incidents: Contact 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in urgent situations. You can also report anonymously through Crimestoppers to support local policing.
Vehicle Precautions: Park in well-lit, secure areas and use anti-theft devices to protect against the city’s rising vehicle crime trends.
Home Security: Strengthen your defences with reliable locks, alarm systems, and motion-activated lighting. Keep your valuables out of sight and add smart surveillance tools to deter burglary and vehicle-related theft, especially in urban areas of Milton Keynes.
The eufycam S4 is ideal for outdoor monitoring, offering a bullet + PTZ lens combo for full 360° coverage across driveways and gardens. With 4K ultra-clear video, AI motion tracking, radar detection, and solar-powered operation, it ensures round-the-clock visibility without blind spots.
The Indoor Cam S350 boosts safety inside your properties. It features dual 4K UHD cameras, 8× zoom, 360° pan-and-tilt, AI motion tracking, night vision, and no subscription fees, making it a smart and affordable choice for continuous protection.
For comprehensive coverage, the NVR CCTV System S4 Max delivers full-home protection. It offers clear 16MP video, smart AI motion tracking, and four cameras that monitor your property day and night. It also includes an 8-channel recorder with 2TB of storage, expandable up to 16TB, so you can store plenty of footage.
Conclusion
The Milton Keynes crime rate shows a city that’s still safer than many others in the UK, but is changing as it grows. More people, busier nightlife, and new developments bring fresh challenges, yet community efforts and smart home security continue to keep things under control.
Staying aware, taking simple precautions, and using reliable security devices can all help make daily life safer. For dependable home security and easy-to-use smart cameras, check out eufy’s range of trusted solutions.
FAQs
What are the most common crimes in Milton Keynes?
Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent in Milton Keynes, with 257 incidents recorded in the 12 months to August 2025 and a rate of 25.23 per 1,000 daytime population.
Vehicle crime follows, with 81 cases (7.92 per 1,000), alongside anti-social behaviour at 67 incidents (6.59 per 1,000).
Other frequent crimes include criminal damage and arson (50 incidents), public order offences (45 incidents), and shoplifting (37 incidents), reflecting a mix of property and public safety concerns.
Has crime in Milton Keynes increased recently?
Overall crime in Milton Keynes rose 17% year-over-year, reaching 584 incidents in the 12 months ending August 2025, up from 498 previously, with the rate climbing from 48.15 to 57.42 per 1,000 daytime population.
Violence and sexual offences increased 12% to 257 cases, while shoplifting saw a 364% rise over three years.
Vehicle crime and theft from the person also jumped significantly, with crime risk scores rising by 19 points, indicating both higher reporting and ongoing local challenges.
Is Milton Keynes a safe place？
Yes, Milton Keynes is considered a relatively safe city. It records about 57 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 21% lower than the national average, 9% below the South East regional rate, and 3.5% lower than the Buckinghamshire average.
Some of the safest neighbourhoods include Shenley Church End, West Bletchley, Broughton, Shenley Brook End, and Stantonbury. These areas are known for their low crime rates, friendly communities, and strong local involvement, making them great places to live or visit.
