2025 Safer Buckinghamshire survey

Between 1 August and 3 October 2025, the Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership invited people who live, work or study in Buckinghamshire to share their views on crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety. The survey aimed to understand which issues mattered most to residents, how safe people felt in different places and at different times of day, and what experiences people had of crime and anti-social behaviour in their communities. 

Respondents were asked whether they had been a victim of, witnessed or heard about a range of crimes during the previous 12 months. These included fraud and scams, online crime, burglary, criminal damage, hate crime, harassment, vehicle crime, domestic abuse, exploitation and violent crime. We also asked how significant a problem crime was in their local area. 

The survey explored experiences of anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping, graffiti, dog fouling, littering, nuisance parking, noise nuisance, drug-related activity, aggressive begging and street racing. Respondents were also asked how safe they felt when alone in their local area and in Buckinghamshire’s town centres during daylight and after dark. 

Information about age, sex and postcode was collected to help understand whether experiences and concerns differed between communities.

A total of 1,722 responses were received, representing a 16% increase on the previous year. Most responses came from people aged 45 to 74, although participation from younger residents increased slightly. Of those responding, 1,043 identified as female and 596 as male. 

Residents identified a mixture of serious crime and visible neighbourhood issues as their main concerns. Fraud and scams remained the most significant crime concern, with large numbers of respondents reporting that they had experienced, witnessed or heard about these offences. Online crime, criminal damage, hate crime and stalking or harassment also featured prominently. These remained the leading concerns from the previous survey. 

Environmental anti-social behaviour emerged as the most commonly reported form of nuisance. Fly-tipping, graffiti, dog fouling and littering were widely reported, alongside nuisance parking, street racing, drug-related activity and noise nuisance. These issues were identified as having a significant impact on how safe and well-managed local areas feel. 

Most respondents felt safe during the day, but feelings of safety reduced significantly after dark. Forty-four per cent reported feeling unsafe in their local area after dark, rising to 59% in town centres. Young people and women were more likely to report concerns about harassment, online harms, hate crime, violence, exploitation and personal safety after dark.

The survey findings were combined with crime and disorder data, partner intelligence and evidence from the Buckinghamshire Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey to inform the development of the Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership Strategy 2026–2031. The strategy was subsequently endorsed by Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet on 14 October 2026. 

The evidence identified a need to address both high-harm offences and the everyday issues that most affect residents’ perceptions of safety. In response, the strategy established six priorities for 2026 to 2031: neighbourhood crime and shoplifting; anti-social behaviour; fraud and scams; preventing harm and exploitation; community cohesion; and domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. 

Concerns about fraud and scams led to a stronger focus on awareness raising, prevention and support for victims. Concerns about environmental anti-social behaviour informed commitments to tackle fly-tipping, graffiti, nuisance parking and other issues through coordinated partnership action. Feedback about online harms, violence, exploitation and the experiences of young people shaped the priority on preventing harm and exploitation. Responses relating to hate crime, harassment and belonging informed the community cohesion priority, while concerns raised by women and girls strengthened the focus on violence against women and girls. 

The strategy also commits the partnership to continue annual community safety surveys so that residents can help shape future priorities and measure progress over time.