Crime in Bourne
Bourne is the third safest small town in Lincolnshire, with a crime rate in 2022 of 57 crimes per 1,000 people. When compared to natural statistics, this means Bourne has a low crime rate and is generally a safe place to live - it's what makes Bourne such a great place to live! In fact, as of 2023, the crime rate in Bourne is 37% lower than the East Midlands and 32% lower than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Most of the reported crime in Bourne is petty crime, such as theft, trespassing and anti-social behaviour. Serious crimes, such as murders, knife and gun attacks are rare in the town; the most documented murder case of recent years is the murder of Alan Wood in the tiny rural Hamlet of Lound, near Bourne. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the largest percentage of reported crime in the area, closely followed by violence and sexual offences, and criminal damage and arson. Of all the crimes reported over the past year, over 50% resulted in no further action being taken. Perhaps not surprising is that most reported crimes in Bourne are in and around the town centre. When compared to the near-by towns of Spalding and Stamford, monthly reported crimes are regularly lower in Bourne.
As with the rest of England, police numbers in Lincolnshire as a whole have been significantly reduced over recent years and as a result of this response times for reported crimes have increased, with police having to prioritise based on the perceived severity of the crime. With their resources being stretched, it's unlikely to see police officers on the beat in the town, with Community Support Officers filling the gap.
Reporting Crime
For all emergencies, such as when a crime is in progress, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened, call 999.
For all non-emergencies, such as your car being stolen, your property being damaged and a suspected drug use or dealing in your neighbourhood, please call 101. You should also call this number if you spot a fallen tree or any other object that is causing an obstruction.
If the crime is not of an urgent nature, you can also contact the Bourne Neighbourhood Policing Team at [email protected] or report the crime via the Bourne Policing Team website and via social media using their Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Bourne Police Station can be found on West Street (Postcode: PE10 9PD) and is generally open Monday to Friday from 9.00am until 5.00pm. You can also report crime to the local Police Community Support Officer, PCSO Graeme Parrott, who can be contacted on 07973846004 or by email at [email protected].
Much of Bourne town centre is covered by CCTV operated and owned by South Kesteven District Council. The monitoring centre is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and all cameras are recorded on to a digital recording system which is running 24 hours a day and 365 days a year (all recorded images are retained for 30 days). You can see all locations of CCTV in Bourne by visiting the South Kesteven District Council website.
If you are having problems relating to nuisance neighbours, please contact South Kesteven District Council (or the housing provider if you are a tenant of social housing) as this is not something normally dealt with by the police. Please visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk to report nuisance neighbours to the council. Littering/fly tipping, dog fouling and inconsiderate parking should also be reported to the local council.
You should call 101 if you want to talk to your local police officer, get crime prevention advice, or report a crime that does not need an emergency response. For all emergencies, call 999.
Reducing Crime
As well as reporting any crime you see, there are also a number of steps you can take to help reduce your risk of being a victim of crime.
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- Make sure you do not leave any personal belongings on show in your vehicle - this only acts as temptation for any thieves who are opertating at the time.
- fiber_manual_record Make sure you never leave your car unattended whilst the engine is running and the keys are in the igintion - it can be tempting to do this in the winter months whilst waiting for the car to warm up and the windows to demist but you may come back to find your car gone.
- fiber_manual_record Make sure you do not leave any windows open whilst your property is unattended - it can be tempting to do this in hot weather but it is simply not worth the risk as this can be used as a means of entry to your home.
- fiber_manual_record Ensure you lock your front door and close any exposed windows if sitting out in the garden or whilst upstairs as opportunist thieves can see this as an opportunity to enter your home and steal your belongings whilst you remain unaware in another part of the house.
- fiber_manual_record Do not let anyone into your home who is not known to you unless they can provide you with identification, or have a legitimate reason for needing to enter your home - even if the person looks and acts friendly, appearances can be deceptive and you can never be quite sure what their motives are.
- fiber_manual_record If you are on a night out, try to moderate what you drink by having a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks and avoiding the pressure to keep up with others - if you know your limit and drink sensibly you are much more likely to stay safe and have a great night out. Make a plan or how you are going to get home or to the place you are stopping at - a taxi in Bourne can be hard to come by so it's always best to arrange one before going out.
- fiber_manual_record Be mindful of what you say online via social media - remember that words can hurt and you should ensure you do not say anything that could cause offence or be perceived as bullying - offensive language and bullying online is taken just as seriously as in real life.
- fiber_manual_record If you don't think something is right, then walk away. Peer pressure can be overwhelming but remember that real friends will respect your decision. Having the odd cigarette or substance may not seen like a big deal but it can soon escalate into a full blown addiction.
- fiber_manual_record Be respectful of your neighbours by keeping loud noise to a minimum - remember that noise can travel well between adjoining properties, especially older properties which can have thin walls and inadequate sound insulation. The loud pounding sound of bass travels particularly well through all structures. Constant exposure to unwanted noise can can cause undue stress and frustration.
- fiber_manual_record Always drive carefully and within any speed limits - when driving through any built-up areas the speed limit is generally 30MPH. If your driving past a school it's always advised to go no more than 20MPH. Give yourself enough time to avoid the need to rush anywhere by planning your journey and making allowances for any road works and known accidents. Take extra care when driving in the countryside around Bourne after dark, particularly in areas where wood land is evident as there is always the risk of deer emerging in front of you - there have been many reports of deer causing a great deal of damage to vehicles in the area, along with reported accidents as a result of not spotting the deer early enough.