Crime Rate in Central Bedfordshire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Central Bedfordshire

The total recorded crimes in Central Bedfordshire, UK in July 2025 are around 1,812 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Central Bedfordshire crime rate of 6.16 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (569) incidents (-9.68% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (443) incidents (13.59% increase)
  • Other theft: (130) incidents (34.02% increase)
Central Bedfordshire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Market Square with total crimes: 16
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 12
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 12

Central Bedfordshire Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Leighton Buzzard South (139 crimes), and the safest, Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield (14 crimes), is 125 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Central Bedfordshire.

Similarly, the area of Leighton Buzzard Central (141 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Linslade West (13 crimes), with a difference of 128 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Central Bedfordshire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Leighton Buzzard South139
Dunstable-Icknield115
Houghton Hall107
Leighton Buzzard North95
Sandy94

Safest Wards:

Aspley and Woburn26
Barton-le-Clay18
Eaton Bray18
Houghton Conquest and Haynes16
Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield14

Most Dangerous Areas:

Leighton Buzzard Central141
Dunstable Central135
Houghton Regis South105
Toddington, Heath & Reach86
Houghton Regis North77

Safest Areas:

Flitwick East32
Flitwick West31
Leighton Buzzard North & East27
Linslade East26
Linslade West13

Central Bedfordshire 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 569 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 443 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (630 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (390 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 73 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 20253
May 20258
April 20259
March 20256
February 20258
January 20252
December 20246
November 20245
October 20247
September 20248
August 20242

A total of 102 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 20259
May 202510
April 202511
March 20258
February 20258
January 20252
December 20247
November 202410
October 20246
September 20247
August 202410

A total of 407 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 49 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202549
June 202549
May 202531
April 202538
March 202531
February 202525
January 202545
December 202430
November 202439
October 202426
September 202424
August 202420

A total of 130 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.83 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202520
June 202511
May 202514
April 202510
March 20259
February 20257
January 202512
December 202411
November 20248
October 202414
September 20249
August 20245

A total of 1528 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 127.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 188 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025119
June 2025111
May 2025188
April 2025105
March 2025144
February 2025156
January 2025173
December 2024122
November 202484
October 2024111
September 2024119
August 202496

A total of 132 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202513
June 20258
May 202514
April 202518
March 202517
February 20255
January 20257
December 202412
November 202415
October 20249
September 20245
August 20249

A total of 1523 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 126.92 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 182 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025104
June 202577
May 202579
April 202585
March 202592
February 2025119
January 2025144
December 2024136
November 2024173
October 2024182
September 2024159
August 2024173

A total of 1316 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 109.67 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 137 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025119
June 2025121
May 2025105
April 2025101
March 2025137
February 202587
January 202585
December 2024115
November 202491
October 2024134
September 202496
August 2024125

A total of 759 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 63.25 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202570
June 202558
May 202562
April 202554
March 202564
February 202554
January 202554
December 202467
November 202471
October 202466
September 202468
August 202471

A total of 3980 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 331.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 443 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025443
June 2025390
May 2025368
April 2025339
March 2025361
February 2025265
January 2025233
December 2024228
November 2024272
October 2024355
September 2024337
August 2024389

A total of 1436 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 119.67 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 142 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025124
June 2025126
May 2025127
April 2025123
March 202599
February 2025111
January 2025118
December 2024117
November 2024129
October 2024125
September 202495
August 2024142

A total of 1289 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 107.42 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 130 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025130
June 202597
May 2025127
April 2025102
March 2025113
February 202596
January 202586
December 2024102
November 2024123
October 2024102
September 2024103
August 2024108

A total of 6667 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 555.58 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 630 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025569
June 2025630
May 2025540
April 2025563
March 2025606
February 2025514
January 2025560
December 2024556
November 2024519
October 2024530
September 2024558
August 2024522

A total of 428 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 35.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202529
June 202543
May 202544
April 202535
March 202532
February 202543
January 202534
December 202425
November 202434
October 202444
September 202433
August 202432

High Crime Locations Central Bedfordshire in July 2025

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

1. Market Square (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences7
Public order4
Shoplifting3
Robbery1
Possession of weapons1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total12
Other theft5
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour3
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting10
Robbery1
Bicycle theft1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting7
Public order2
5. Coniston Road (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting2
Robbery1
Public order1
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting6
Robbery2

  • 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.