Crime Rate in Central Bedfordshire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Central Bedfordshire

The total recorded crimes in Central Bedfordshire, UK in May 2025 are around 1,717 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Central Bedfordshire crime rate of 5.84 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 Central Bedfordshire, encompassing approximately 294,251 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (540) incidents (-4.09% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (368) incidents (8.55% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (188) incidents (79.05% increase)
Central Bedfordshire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Sandpiper Way with total crimes: 18
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 13
  • Market Square with total crimes: 10

Central Bedfordshire Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Leighton Buzzard South (154 crimes), and the safest, Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield (6 crimes), is 148 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Central Bedfordshire.

Similarly, the area of Leighton Buzzard Central (145 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Linslade West (13 crimes), with a difference of 132 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Central Bedfordshire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Leighton Buzzard South154
Leighton Buzzard North118
Dunstable-Northfields99
Sandy89
Houghton Hall89

Safest Wards:

Eaton Bray21
Silsoe and Shillington21
Houghton Conquest and Haynes16
Aspley and Woburn12
Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield6

Most Dangerous Areas:

Leighton Buzzard Central145
Dunstable Central105
Houghton Regis South91
Toddington, Heath & Reach86
Leighton Buzzard South East84

Safest Areas:

Sandy North32
Flitwick West31
Linslade East29
Westoning, Harlington & Silsoe28
Linslade West13

Central Bedfordshire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (540 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (368 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (563 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (339 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (606 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (361 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 514 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 265 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (560 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (233 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 556 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 228 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (519 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (272 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (530 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (355 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (558 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (337 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (522 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (389 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 549 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 445 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1266 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (968 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 832 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 69.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 130 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202562
April 202554
March 202564
February 202554
January 202554
December 202467
November 202471
October 202466
September 202468
August 202471
July 202471
June 2024130

A total of 460 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202544
April 202535
March 202532
February 202543
January 202534
December 202425
November 202434
October 202444
September 202433
August 202432
July 202438
June 202466

A total of 1637 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 136.42 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 182 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202579
April 202585
March 202592
February 2025119
January 2025144
December 2024136
November 2024173
October 2024182
September 2024159
August 2024173
July 2024113
June 2024182

A total of 4560 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 380.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 968 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025368
April 2025339
March 2025361
February 2025265
January 2025233
December 2024228
November 2024272
October 2024355
September 2024337
August 2024389
July 2024445
June 2024968

A total of 1645 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 137.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 314 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025127
April 2025123
March 202599
February 2025111
January 2025118
December 2024117
November 2024129
October 2024125
September 202495
August 2024142
July 2024145
June 2024314

A total of 1412 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 117.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 246 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025127
April 2025102
March 2025113
February 202596
January 202586
December 2024102
November 2024123
October 2024102
September 2024103
August 2024108
July 2024104
June 2024246

A total of 386 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.17 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202531
April 202538
March 202531
February 202525
January 202545
December 202430
November 202439
October 202426
September 202424
August 202420
July 202437
June 202440

A total of 117 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202511
March 20258
February 20258
January 20252
December 20247
November 202410
October 20246
September 20247
August 202410
July 202412
June 202426

A total of 1492 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 124.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 286 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025105
April 2025101
March 2025137
February 202587
January 202585
December 2024115
November 202491
October 2024134
September 202496
August 2024125
July 2024130
June 2024286

A total of 142 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202518
March 202517
February 20255
January 20257
December 202412
November 202415
October 20249
September 20245
August 20249
July 20249
June 202422

A total of 129 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.75 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202510
March 20259
February 20257
January 202512
December 202411
November 20248
October 202414
September 20249
August 20245
July 202416
June 202414

A total of 86 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20259
March 20256
February 20258
January 20252
December 20246
November 20245
October 20247
September 20248
August 20242
July 20245
June 202420

A total of 1670 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 139.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 280 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025188
April 2025105
March 2025144
February 2025156
January 2025173
December 2024122
November 202484
October 2024111
September 2024119
August 202496
July 202492
June 2024280

A total of 7283 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 606.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1266 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025540
April 2025563
March 2025606
February 2025514
January 2025560
December 2024556
November 2024519
October 2024530
September 2024558
August 2024522
July 2024549
June 20241266

High Crime Locations Central Bedfordshire in May 2025

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

1. Sandpiper Way (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences18
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting11
Public order2
3. Market Square (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences7
Public order2
Burglary1
4. Toddington Service Area (Map)
Total9
Vehicle crime9
5. Armistice Croft (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order2
6. Petrol Station (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour5
Other theft2
Burglary1

To know about postcode areas in Central Bedfordshire, visit Central Bedfordshire information

  • 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.