Crime Rate in Central Bedfordshire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Central Bedfordshire

The total recorded crimes in Central Bedfordshire, UK in January 2026 are around 1,359 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Central Bedfordshire crime rate of 4.62 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (487) incidents (-5.25% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (253) incidents (7.20% increase)
  • Other theft: (88) incidents (-19.27% decrease)
Central Bedfordshire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Market Square with total crimes: 11
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 10
  • Rivermead Gardens with total crimes: 9

Central Bedfordshire Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Leighton Buzzard South (110 crimes), and the safest, Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield (11 crimes), is 99 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Central Bedfordshire.

Similarly, the area of Leighton Buzzard Central (101 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Linslade West (6 crimes), with a difference of 95 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Central Bedfordshire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Leighton Buzzard South110
Houghton Hall89
Sandy88
Biggleswade North79
Leighton Buzzard North72

Safest Wards:

Houghton Conquest and Haynes16
Aspley and Woburn16
Eaton Bray13
Barton-le-Clay13
Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield11

Most Dangerous Areas:

Leighton Buzzard Central101
Dunstable Central96
Houghton Regis South94
Houghton Regis North72
Biggleswade West69

Safest Areas:

Leighton Buzzard North & East22
Dunstable Manshead20
Caddington & Slip End18
Flitwick East16
Linslade West6

Central Bedfordshire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (487 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (253 cases).

December 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 236 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (510 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (257 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (573 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (306 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (516 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (287 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (558 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (343 incidents).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1548 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 129.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 188 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202685
December 2025101
November 2025135
October 2025176
September 2025109
August 2025119
July 2025119
June 2025111
May 2025188
April 2025105
March 2025144
February 2025156

A total of 1121 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 93.42 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 120 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202682
December 202598
November 2025101
October 2025120
September 202582
August 202582
July 2025104
June 202577
May 202579
April 202585
March 202592
February 2025119

A total of 187 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.58 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202613
December 202516
November 202528
October 202522
September 202522
August 202515
July 202520
June 202511
May 202514
April 202510
March 20259
February 20257

A total of 135 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.25 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20264
December 202513
November 202513
October 202510
September 202511
August 20259
July 202513
June 20258
May 202514
April 202518
March 202517
February 20255

A total of 469 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 39.08 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202667
December 202542
November 202535
October 202540
September 202530
August 202529
July 202529
June 202543
May 202544
April 202535
March 202532
February 202543

A total of 1407 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 117.25 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 139 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202684
December 2025120
November 2025117
October 2025139
September 2025119
August 2025118
July 2025124
June 2025126
May 2025127
April 2025123
March 202599
February 2025111

A total of 707 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 58.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202648
December 202565
November 202568
October 202564
September 202544
August 202556
July 202570
June 202558
May 202562
April 202554
March 202564
February 202554

A total of 3848 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 320.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 443 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026253
December 2025236
November 2025257
October 2025306
September 2025287
August 2025343
July 2025443
June 2025390
May 2025368
April 2025339
March 2025361
February 2025265

A total of 1247 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 103.92 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 137 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202682
December 202571
November 2025108
October 2025117
September 202589
August 2025110
July 2025119
June 2025121
May 2025105
April 2025101
March 2025137
February 202587

A total of 1250 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 104.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 130 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202688
December 2025109
November 2025114
October 2025113
September 202588
August 202573
July 2025130
June 202597
May 2025127
April 2025102
March 2025113
February 202596

A total of 619 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 51.58 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202660
December 202559
November 202573
October 202574
September 202563
August 202567
July 202549
June 202549
May 202531
April 202538
March 202531
February 202525

A total of 121 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.08 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20264
December 20253
November 20259
October 202515
September 202513
August 202517
July 202514
June 20259
May 202510
April 202511
March 20258
February 20258

A total of 6580 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 548.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 630 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026487
December 2025514
November 2025510
October 2025573
September 2025516
August 2025558
July 2025569
June 2025630
May 2025540
April 2025563
March 2025606
February 2025514

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
January 20262
December 20256
November 20257
October 20255
September 20257
August 20253
July 20259
June 20253
May 20258
April 20259
March 20256
February 20258

High Crime Locations Central Bedfordshire in January 2026

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

1. Market Square (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting3
Public order2
Drugs1
Burglary1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting10
3. Rivermead Gardens (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences8
Possession of weapons1
4. Robert Hunt Gardens (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences4
Public order3
Drugs1
5. Armistice Croft (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences7
Theft from the person1
6. Ramerick Gardens (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour8

  • 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.