Crime Rate in Bedford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Bedford

The total recorded crimes in Bedford, UK in May 2025 are around 1,591 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bedford crime rate of 8.59 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (587) incidents (20.78% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (261) incidents (8.75% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (157) incidents (-9.25% decrease)
Bedford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Adelaide Square with total crimes: 35
  • The Old Yard with total crimes: 28
  • Abbott Crescent with total crimes: 23

Bedford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castle (223 crimes), and the safest, Riseley (1 crimes), is 222 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Bedford.

Similarly, the area of Castle & Kingsway (230 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Riseley & Sharnbrook (21 crimes), with a difference of 209 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Bedford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle223
Cauldwell174
Harpur140
Kingsbrook128
Kempston West100

Safest Wards:

Putnoe19
Kempston North14
Clapham8
Oakley6
Riseley1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Castle & Kingsway230
Cauldwell174
Harpur140
Kempston West & South140
Kingsbrook128

Safest Areas:

Newnham33
Putnoe25
De Parys22
Clapham, Oakley & Thurleigh22
Riseley & Sharnbrook21

Bedford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 727 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 66.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 111 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202548
April 202550
March 202548
February 202554
January 202567
December 202475
November 202463
October 202466
September 202469
August 2024111
July 202476

A total of 2381 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 216.45 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 295 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025261
April 2025240
March 2025229
February 2025153
January 2025147
December 2024190
November 2024154
October 2024212
September 2024219
August 2024281
July 2024295

A total of 956 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 86.91 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 101 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202590
April 2025101
March 202589
February 202586
January 202585
December 202482
November 202492
October 202491
September 202474
August 202485
July 202481

A total of 457 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 41.55 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202536
April 202540
March 202551
February 202535
January 202547
December 202438
November 202446
October 202447
September 202440
August 202444
July 202433

A total of 1087 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 98.82 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202596
April 202572
March 202569
February 202569
January 2025101
December 2024136
November 2024110
October 2024114
September 2024106
August 2024121
July 202493

A total of 1841 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 167.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 214 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025157
April 2025173
March 2025159
February 2025148
January 2025164
December 2024133
November 2024204
October 2024158
September 2024190
August 2024214
July 2024141

A total of 1187 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 107.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 143 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025116
April 2025109
March 2025100
February 202589
January 2025114
December 2024106
November 202490
October 202495
September 2024103
August 2024122
July 2024143

A total of 5440 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 494.55 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 587 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025587
April 2025486
March 2025487
February 2025499
January 2025470
December 2024498
November 2024429
October 2024451
September 2024474
August 2024477
July 2024582

A total of 1122 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 102.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 135 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202583
April 2025106
March 2025103
February 202591
January 2025112
December 2024101
November 202485
October 202494
September 202496
August 2024116
July 2024135

A total of 95 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.64 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 202514
March 202512
February 202510
January 20258
December 20247
November 20249
October 202410
September 20244
August 20248
July 20249

A total of 131 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 11.91 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202522
April 202512
March 20256
February 202510
January 20258
December 202410
November 202411
October 202413
September 202416
August 20248
July 202415

A total of 160 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 14.55 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 202528
March 202510
February 202514
January 202513
December 20245
November 20248
October 202413
September 202410
August 202419
July 202419

A total of 499 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 45.36 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202550
April 202562
March 202536
February 202550
January 202549
December 202440
November 202436
October 202445
September 202445
August 202442
July 202444

A total of 217 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 19.73 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202520
April 202521
March 202531
February 202512
January 202512
December 202417
November 202417
October 202421
September 202412
August 202437
July 202417

High Crime Locations Bedford in May 2025

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

1. Adelaide Square (Map)
Total35
Violence and sexual offences21
Other crime13
Criminal damage and arson1
2. The Old Yard (Map)
Total28
Shoplifting26
Other crime1
Criminal damage and arson1
3. Abbott Crescent (Map)
Total23
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour5
Other theft3
Drugs3
Public order2
Other crime1
4. Horace Close (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting19
Public order1
5. High Street (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Burglary2
Robbery1
Public order1
Drugs1
6. Lime Street (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences9
Shoplifting1
Drugs1
Bicycle theft1

  • 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.