Crime Rate in Bedford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Bedford

The total recorded crimes in Bedford, Bedford in January 2025 are around 1,397 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bedford crime rate of 7.54 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (470) incidents (-5.62% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (164) incidents (23.31% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (147) incidents (-22.63% decrease)
Bedford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Abbott Crescent with total crimes: 45
  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 27
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 26

Bedford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castle (194 crimes), and the safest, Oakley (2 crimes), is 192 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Bedford.

Similarly, the area of Castle & Kingsway (202 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Riseley & Sharnbrook (19 crimes), with a difference of 183 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Bedford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle194
Cauldwell173
Harpur118
Kingsbrook114
Kempston West87

Safest Wards:

Clapham14
Wyboston14
Kempston North14
Riseley4
Oakley2

Most Dangerous Areas:

Castle & Kingsway202
Cauldwell173
Harpur118
Kempston West & South117
Kingsbrook114

Safest Areas:

Newnham33
De Parys25
Clapham, Oakley & Thurleigh24
Harrold, Chellington & Turvey23
Riseley & Sharnbrook19

Bedford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 1035 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 129.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 262 reported cases.

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

A total of 209 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 26.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 76 reported cases.

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

A total of 375 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 46.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 80 reported cases.

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

A total of 75 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 9.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 20 reported cases.

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

A total of 729 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 91.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 202 reported cases.

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

A total of 4473 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 559.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1092 reported cases.

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

A total of 816 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 102.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 226 reported cases.

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

A total of 101 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 12.62 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 19 reported cases.

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

A total of 115 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 14.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 34 reported cases.

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

A total of 373 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 46.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 72 reported cases.

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

A total of 987 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 123.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 206 reported cases.

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

A total of 2196 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 274.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 698 reported cases.

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

A total of 1596 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 199.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 392 reported cases.

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

A total of 987 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 123.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 248 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations Bedford in January 2025

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

1. Abbott Crescent (Map)
Total45
Violence and sexual offences18
Public order8
Drugs6
Anti-social behaviour5
Criminal damage and arson4
Possession of weapons2
Other crime2
2. Petrol Station (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting27
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total26
Shoplifting23
Other theft2
Bicycle theft1
4. Adelaide Square (Map)
Total24
Other crime10
Violence and sexual offences8
Criminal damage and arson4
Public order2
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total17
Shoplifting9
Other theft6
Anti-social behaviour2
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting12
Robbery1

  • 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.