Crime Rate in Bedford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Bedford

The total recorded crimes in Bedford, UK in July 2025 are around 1,831 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bedford crime rate of 9.89 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Bedford, encompassing approximately 185,224 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (679) incidents (19.96% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (316) incidents (7.12% increase)
  • Public order: (136) incidents (23.64% increase)
Bedford Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Gwyn Street with total crimes: 29
  • Abbott Crescent with total crimes: 29
  • The Old Yard with total crimes: 26

Bedford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castle (258 crimes), and the safest, Riseley (10 crimes), is 248 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Bedford.

Similarly, the area of Castle & Kingsway (266 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Riseley & Sharnbrook (30 crimes), with a difference of 236 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Bedford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle258
Cauldwell205
Kingsbrook156
Harpur105
Kempston West100

Safest Wards:

Wyboston30
Putnoe27
Kempston North19
Oakley13
Riseley10

Most Dangerous Areas:

Castle & Kingsway266
Cauldwell205
Kingsbrook156
Kempston West & South137
Harpur105

Safest Areas:

Kempston North43
Harrold, Chellington & Turvey41
Newnham38
Putnoe32
Riseley & Sharnbrook30

Bedford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 679 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 316 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (566 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (295 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (587 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (261 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (486 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (240 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (487 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (229 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 499 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 153 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (470 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (164 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 498 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 190 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (429 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (204 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (451 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (212 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1568 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 156.80 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 204 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025133
June 2025139
May 2025157
April 2025173
March 2025159
February 2025148
January 2025164
December 2024133
November 2024204
October 2024158

A total of 982 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 98.20 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202585
June 2025130
May 202596
April 202572
March 202569
February 202569
January 2025101
December 2024136
November 2024110
October 2024114

A total of 5152 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 515.20 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 679 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025679
June 2025566
May 2025587
April 2025486
March 2025487
February 2025499
January 2025470
December 2024498
November 2024429
October 2024451

A total of 898 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 89.80 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 101 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025100
June 202582
May 202590
April 2025101
March 202589
February 202586
January 202585
December 202482
November 202492
October 202491

A total of 1034 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 103.40 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025134
June 2025125
May 202583
April 2025106
March 2025103
February 202591
January 2025112
December 2024101
November 202485
October 202494

A total of 404 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 40.40 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202531
June 202533
May 202536
April 202540
March 202551
February 202535
January 202547
December 202438
November 202446
October 202447

A total of 90 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 9.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 20257
May 20254
April 202514
March 202512
February 202510
January 20258
December 20247
November 20249
October 202410

A total of 123 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 12.30 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202514
May 202522
April 202512
March 20256
February 202510
January 20258
December 202410
November 202411
October 202413

A total of 570 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 57.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 75 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202559
June 202540
May 202548
April 202550
March 202548
February 202554
January 202567
December 202475
November 202463
October 202466

A total of 146 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 14.60 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202516
May 202521
April 202528
March 202510
February 202514
January 202513
December 20245
November 20248
October 202413

A total of 2197 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 219.70 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 316 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025316
June 2025295
May 2025261
April 2025240
March 2025229
February 2025153
January 2025147
December 2024190
November 2024154
October 2024212

A total of 495 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 49.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 65 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202565
June 202562
May 202550
April 202562
March 202536
February 202550
January 202549
December 202440
November 202436
October 202445

A total of 232 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 23.20 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 49 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202549
June 202532
May 202520
April 202521
March 202531
February 202512
January 202512
December 202417
November 202417
October 202421

A total of 1065 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 106.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025136
June 2025110
May 2025116
April 2025109
March 2025100
February 202589
January 2025114
December 2024106
November 202490
October 202495

High Crime Locations Bedford in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Bedford postcode area is presented below.

1. Gwyn Street (Map)
Total29
Violence and sexual offences20
Other crime4
Shoplifting2
Public order2
Burglary1
2. Abbott Crescent (Map)
Total29
Violence and sexual offences15
Public order6
Drugs3
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour2
3. The Old Yard (Map)
Total26
Shoplifting20
Public order3
Anti-social behaviour3
4. Horace Close (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting21
5. Endsleigh Road (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order3
Other theft2
6. Bunyan Road (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences12
Criminal damage and arson3

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.