Crime Rate in Bedford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Bedford

The total recorded crimes in Bedford, UK in March 2025 are around 1,430 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bedford crime rate of 7.72 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (487) incidents (-2.40% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (229) incidents (49.67% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (159) incidents (7.43% increase)
Bedford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Abbott Crescent with total crimes: 25
  • The Old Yard with total crimes: 25
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 25

Bedford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castle (235 crimes), and the safest, Riseley (4 crimes), is 231 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Bedford.

Similarly, the area of Castle & Kingsway (243 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to De Parys (22 crimes), with a difference of 221 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Bedford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle235
Cauldwell131
Goldington116
Harpur115
Kingsbrook108

Safest Wards:

Bromham and Biddenham20
Kempston North9
Oakley9
Clapham6
Riseley4

Most Dangerous Areas:

Castle & Kingsway243
Kempston West & South138
Cauldwell131
Harpur115
Goldington109

Safest Areas:

Putnoe32
Clapham, Oakley & Thurleigh29
Riseley & Sharnbrook28
Kempston North28
De Parys22

Bedford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (474 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (219 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (477 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (281 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 582 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 295 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1092 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (698 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1125 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 112.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 206 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202569
February 202569
January 2025101
December 2024136
November 2024110
October 2024114
September 2024106
August 2024121
July 202493
June 2024206

A total of 5459 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 545.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1092 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025487
February 2025499
January 2025470
December 2024498
November 2024429
October 2024451
September 2024474
August 2024477
July 2024582
June 20241092

A total of 831 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 83.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 202 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202548
February 202554
January 202567
December 202475
November 202463
October 202466
September 202469
August 2024111
July 202476
June 2024202

A total of 252 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 25.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 76 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202531
February 202512
January 202512
December 202417
November 202417
October 202421
September 202412
August 202437
July 202417
June 202476

A total of 2578 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 257.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 698 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025229
February 2025153
January 2025147
December 2024190
November 2024154
October 2024212
September 2024219
August 2024281
July 2024295
June 2024698

A total of 125 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 12.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202510
February 202514
January 202513
December 20245
November 20248
October 202413
September 202410
August 202419
July 202419
June 202414

A total of 1903 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 190.30 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 392 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025159
February 2025148
January 2025164
December 2024133
November 2024204
October 2024158
September 2024190
August 2024214
July 2024141
June 2024392

A total of 991 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 99.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 226 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202589
February 202586
January 202585
December 202482
November 202492
October 202491
September 202474
August 202485
July 202481
June 2024226

A total of 97 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 9.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202512
February 202510
January 20258
December 20247
November 20249
October 202410
September 20244
August 20248
July 20249
June 202420

A total of 1224 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 122.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 262 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025100
February 202589
January 2025114
December 2024106
November 202490
October 202495
September 2024103
August 2024122
July 2024143
June 2024262

A total of 131 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 13.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20256
February 202510
January 20258
December 202410
November 202411
October 202413
September 202416
August 20248
July 202415
June 202434

A total of 461 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 46.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 80 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202551
February 202535
January 202547
December 202438
November 202446
October 202447
September 202440
August 202444
July 202433
June 202480

A total of 459 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 45.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202536
February 202550
January 202549
December 202440
November 202436
October 202445
September 202445
August 202442
July 202444
June 202472

A total of 1181 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 118.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 248 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025103
February 202591
January 2025112
December 2024101
November 202485
October 202494
September 202496
August 2024116
July 2024135
June 2024248

High Crime Locations Bedford in March 2025

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

1. Abbott Crescent (Map)
Total25
Violence and sexual offences13
Drugs5
Public order4
Criminal damage and arson2
Other crime1
2. The Old Yard (Map)
Total25
Shoplifting25
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total25
Shoplifting25
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting20
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting14
Other theft5
6. High Street (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour5
Other crime2
Drugs2
Shoplifting1

  • 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.