Crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden: statistics, rates and trends
340 crimes were recorded in Prestwood and Great Missenden in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden at a glance
- Crime trends in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- Types of crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- Prestwood and Great Missenden compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Prestwood and Great Missenden
- Streets with the most crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- What happened after crimes were reported in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- Population and deprivation in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- Questions about crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden
- About this data
340 crimes were recorded in Prestwood and Great Missenden in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 122 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Prestwood and Great Missenden has the 1,191st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Prestwood and Great Missenden | Buckinghamshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 340 | 36,056 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 48.0 | 62.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,082 | 578,772 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden was highest in the year to July 2024 (399 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (287). Over the whole period it rose 5%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 340 | 48.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 358 | 50.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 399 | 56.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 318 | 44.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 302 | 42.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 303 | 42.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 311 | 43.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 287 | 40.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 323 | 45.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 23 |
| June 2026 | 39 |
| May 2026 | 36 |
| April 2026 | 32 |
| March 2026 | 20 |
| February 2026 | 29 |
| January 2026 | 34 |
| December 2025 | 31 |
| November 2025 | 33 |
| October 2025 | 23 |
| September 2025 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 20 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Prestwood and Great Missenden over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+22%) and anti-social behaviour (+19%). The largest falls were in other theft (-32%) and public order (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 122 | 17.2 | 0.50 | -15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 43 | 6.1 | 0.40 | +19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 39 | 5.5 | 0.81 | +22% |
| Public order | 26 | 3.7 | 0.55 | -32% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 3.5 | 0.72 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 3.4 | 0.41 | -17% |
| Burglary | 19 | 2.7 | 0.76 | +58% |
| Other theft | 17 | 2.4 | 0.38 | -32% |
| Other crime | 11 | 1.6 | 0.74 | +175% |
| Drugs | 6 | 0.8 | 0.26 | -25% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.7 | 0.52 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.17 | -50% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 35.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 12.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 175% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Prestwood and Great Missenden
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Prestwood and Great Missenden, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Prestwood and Great Missenden.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Prestwood and Great Missenden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazlemere | 663 | 34.4 | -28% |
| Princes Risborough | 420 | 47.4 | -1% |
| Wendover | 391 | 40.4 | -16% |
| High Wycombe | 8,541 | 94.3 | +96% |
| Chesham | 1,648 | 73.3 | +53% |
| Amersham | 781 | 45.3 | -6% |
| Stoke Mandeville | 225 | 42.0 | -12% |
| Flackwell Heath and Wooburn Green | 757 | 58.1 | +21% |
1 areas within Prestwood and Great Missenden, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. The Missendens had the highest rate (40.2 per 1,000) and The Missendens the lowest (40.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Missendens | Neighbourhood | 17,594 | 707 | 40.2 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Prestwood and Great Missenden over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 25 |
| On or near Misbourne Drive | 19 |
| On or near Parking Area | 19 |
| On or near Wright'S Lane | 19 |
| On or near Fair Acres | 17 |
| On or near Nairdwood Lane | 15 |
| On or near Abbey Walk | 13 |
| On or near Hazell Road | 13 |
| On or near Chequers Drive | 10 |
| On or near Back Lane | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Prestwood and Great Missenden over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 113 | 33.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 103 | 30.3% |
| Not recorded | 43 | 12.6% |
| Under investigation | 33 | 9.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 5.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 1.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
Prestwood and Great Missenden has an estimated population of 7,082. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Prestwood and Great Missenden sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Prestwood and Great Missenden |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.3% |
| Social rented homes | 12.2% |
| Private rented homes | 11.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Prestwood and Great Missenden a safe place to live?
Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded 48.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (43).
Is crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden going up or down?
Recorded crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden was down 5% on the year before: 340 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 358 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Prestwood and Great Missenden?
Prestwood and Great Missenden is policed by Thames Valley. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Prestwood and Great Missenden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.