Crime Rate in Dunstable-Watling: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dunstable-Watling

The total recorded crimes in Dunstable-Watling, Central Bedfordshire, UK in July 2025 are around 41 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dunstable-Watling crime rate of 2.18 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 Dunstable-Watling, encompassing approximately 18,844 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (18) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (9) incidents (12.50% increase)
  • Other theft: (5) incidents (66.67% increase)
Dunstable-Watling Crime Hotspots

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

  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 5
  • Churchill Road with total crimes: 4
  • Patterdale Close with total crimes: 3

How safe is Dunstable-Watling?

To understand the safety of Dunstable-Watling, we need to analyze Dunstable-Watling crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Central Bedfordshire:

    • In 2024, Dunstable-Watling demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Central Bedfordshire average, with 502 crimes compared to 711.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Dunstable-Watling recorded fewer crimes than 19 out of 30 other areas in the Central Bedfordshire.

    • In 2023, Dunstable-Watling had fewer crimes than the Central Bedfordshire average, with 396 crimes compared to 610. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Dunstable-Watling recorded fewer crimes than 22 out of 30 other areas in the Central Bedfordshire.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Central Bedfordshire, Dunstable-Watling has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Dunstable-Watling Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Dunstable-Watling has recorded 41 crimes with crime rate of 2.18 ranking 20th out of 30 in the Central Bedfordshire, UK

In 2024, the total Dunstable-Watling crimes were 502. The crime rate of Dunstable-Watling in 2024 was 26.64 (year) or 2.22 (month) ranking it 20 dangerous area in the Central Bedfordshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Dunstable-Watling were around 396 crimes with yearly crime rate of 21.01 (year) or 1.75 (month) ranking 23 most dangerous area in the Central Bedfordshire.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Dunstable-Watling)CrimesRank (Dunstable-Watling)CrimesRank (Dunstable-Watling)
Leighton Buzzard South139 11,558 11,389 1
Sandy94 51,232 61,340 2
Houghton Hall107 31,514 21,145 3
Dunstable-Icknield115 21,309 3991 5
Leighton Buzzard North95 41,083 7996 4
Dunstable-Northfields94 61,245 4916 7
Shefford77 91,235 5863 8
Biggleswade North75 11944 8958 6
Cranfield and Marston Moretaine85 7869 10594 15
Arlesey82 8839 12840 9
Stotfold and Langford69 13929 9755 12
Toddington77 10853 11834 10
Flitwick63 14838 13805 11
Ampthill69 12663 15661 13
Caddington54 15747 14619 14
Linslade39 21479 22518 16
Biggleswade South51 17607 16431 20
Dunstable-Central53 16503 19438 18
Tithe Farm31 24547 17495 17
Potton42 19521 18400 21
Parkside44 18473 23399 22
Dunstable-Manshead33 23404 24435 19
Heath and Reach35 22484 21392 24
Northill26 26392 25275 25
Silsoe and Shillington30 25212 29156 29
Aspley and Woburn26 27250 26228 26
Barton-le-Clay18 28191 30181 27
Houghton Conquest and Haynes16 30248 27137 31
Eaton Bray18 29223 28167 28
Westoning, Flitton and Greenfield14 31161 31151 30

Dunstable-Watling 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 18 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 9 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (18 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (8 cases).

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (18 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (11 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (11 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (5 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (12 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (12 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Other theft saw the largest number of reported crimes with 7 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (12 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (11 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 61 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 8.71 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 20258
May 202518
April 20255
March 202512
February 20255
January 20254

A total of 35 Other theft incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20253
May 20254
April 20254
March 20258
February 20257
January 20254

A total of 5 Robbery incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20252
March 20251
January 20251

A total of 30 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 4.29 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20253
May 20251
April 20254
March 20254
February 20252
January 202512

A total of 87 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 12.43 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202518
May 202511
April 202511
March 202512
February 20256
January 202511

A total of 16 Burglary incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 2.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20256
April 20253
March 20252
February 20253
January 20251

A total of 12 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20253
April 20254
March 20251
February 20252
January 20251

A total of 15 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20251
May 20257
March 20253
January 20252

A total of 13 Public order incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 2.17 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20257
May 20251
April 20252
March 20251
February 20251
January 20251

A total of 3 Other crime incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
February 20252

A total of 2 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251

A total of 4 Drugs incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
February 20251
January 20251

A total of 1 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251

A total of 1 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 7 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251

High Crime Locations Dunstable-Watling in July 2025

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

1. Petrol Station (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
Robbery1
2. Churchill Road (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences4
3. Patterdale Close (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. London Road (Map)
Total3
Other theft3
5. Tarnside Close (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour2
6. Abbey Mews (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
7. Crosby Close (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
8. Staines Square (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. High Street South (Map)
Total1
Anti-social behaviour1
10. Lancot Avenue (Map)
Total1
Burglary1

  • 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.