Crime Rate in Reading: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Reading

The total recorded crimes in Reading, Reading in January 2025 are around 1,477 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Reading crime rate of 8.48 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 Reading, encompassing approximately 174,223 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (519) incidents (-9.42% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (197) incidents (2.07% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (149) incidents (3.47% increase)
Reading Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 34
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 24
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 24

Reading Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Abbey (306 crimes), and the safest, Emmer Green (9 crimes), is 297 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Reading.

Similarly, the area of Central Reading North (265 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Caversham Heights (9 crimes), with a difference of 256 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Reading.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Abbey306
Battle147
Church110
Southcote105
Whitley93

Safest Wards:

Norcot72
Thames69
Tilehurst62
Caversham Heights12
Emmer Green9

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Reading North265
Kennet Island & Green Park159
Norcot South123
Battle & Caversham Bridge107
Palmer Park103

Safest Areas:

Leighton Park35
Tilehurst North23
Caversham Balmore Park18
Caversham Emmer Green9
Caversham Heights9

Reading Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (519 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (197 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 573 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 193 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (573 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (201 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (575 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (246 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (627 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (236 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (634 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (210 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 646 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 240 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1250 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (456 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1125 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 140.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 294 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025120
December 2024102
November 2024107
October 2024134
September 2024121
August 2024109
July 2024138
June 2024294

A total of 336 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 42.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202523
December 202435
November 202441
October 202445
September 202445
August 202439
July 202440
June 202468

A total of 242 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 30.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202535
December 202422
November 202425
October 202415
September 202432
August 202420
July 202431
June 202462

A total of 349 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 43.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202536
December 202439
November 202436
October 202448
September 202431
August 202433
July 202436
June 202490

A total of 545 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 68.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202540
December 202469
November 202460
October 202482
September 202449
August 202480
July 202467
June 202498

A total of 5397 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 674.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1250 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025519
December 2024573
November 2024573
October 2024575
September 2024627
August 2024634
July 2024646
June 20241250

A total of 1340 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 167.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 332 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025105
December 2024123
November 2024139
October 2024156
September 2024109
August 2024172
July 2024204
June 2024332

A total of 133 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 16.62 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202518
December 202411
November 202412
October 202419
September 202415
August 202414
July 202422
June 202422

A total of 220 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 27.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202516
December 202426
November 202427
October 202433
September 202420
August 202429
July 202431
June 202438

A total of 364 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 45.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202529
December 202439
November 202438
October 202457
September 202431
August 202460
July 202436
June 202474

A total of 876 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 109.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 170 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202592
December 202477
November 202499
October 2024131
September 202485
August 2024118
July 2024104
June 2024170

A total of 1715 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 214.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 456 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025149
December 2024144
November 2024145
October 2024194
September 2024177
August 2024210
July 2024240
June 2024456

A total of 1869 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 233.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 420 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025197
December 2024193
November 2024201
October 2024246
September 2024236
August 2024182
July 2024194
June 2024420

A total of 1060 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 132.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 242 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202598
December 202486
November 2024123
October 2024125
September 2024112
August 2024136
July 2024138
June 2024242

High Crime Locations Reading in January 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total34
Shoplifting25
Violence and sexual offences4
Public order3
Robbery1
Bicycle theft1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting23
Theft from the person1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting24
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting24
5. Honey End Lane (Map)
Total20
Violence and sexual offences17
Criminal damage and arson2
Theft from the person1
6. Rutland Road (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences6
Possession of weapons6
Public order3
Anti-social behaviour3

  • 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.