Crime Rate in Reading: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Reading

The total recorded crimes in Reading, UK in March 2025 are around 1,741 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Reading crime rate of 9.99 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (594) incidents (20.73% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (297) incidents (40.09% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (207) incidents (81.58% increase)
Reading Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 47
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 39
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 36

Reading Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Abbey (365 crimes), and the safest, Caversham Heights (13 crimes), is 352 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Reading.

Similarly, the area of Central Reading North (293 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Caversham Heights (7 crimes), with a difference of 286 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Reading.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Abbey365
Church142
Battle131
Whitley126
Southcote125

Safest Wards:

Tilehurst86
Coley80
Katesgrove79
Emmer Green18
Caversham Heights13

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Reading North293
Kennet Island & Green Park195
Battle & Caversham Bridge122
Central Reading South120
Norcot South110

Safest Areas:

Leighton Park52
Tilehurst North47
Caversham Balmore Park26
Caversham Emmer Green18
Caversham Heights7

Reading Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (594 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (297 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 492 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 212 incidents.

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 1334 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 133.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 294 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025121
February 202588
January 2025120
December 2024102
November 2024107
October 2024134
September 2024121
August 2024109
July 2024138
June 2024294

A total of 2378 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 237.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 420 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025297
February 2025212
January 2025197
December 2024193
November 2024201
October 2024246
September 2024236
August 2024182
July 2024194
June 2024420

A total of 423 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 42.30 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202537
February 202537
January 202536
December 202439
November 202436
October 202448
September 202431
August 202433
July 202436
June 202490

A total of 6483 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 648.30 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1250 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025594
February 2025492
January 2025519
December 2024573
November 2024573
October 2024575
September 2024627
August 2024634
July 2024646
June 20241250

A total of 410 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 41.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202549
February 202525
January 202523
December 202435
November 202441
October 202445
September 202445
August 202439
July 202440
June 202468

A total of 1269 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 126.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 242 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025113
February 202596
January 202598
December 202486
November 2024123
October 2024125
September 2024112
August 2024136
July 2024138
June 2024242

A total of 291 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 29.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202525
February 202524
January 202535
December 202422
November 202425
October 202415
September 202432
August 202420
July 202431
June 202462

A total of 1561 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 156.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 332 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025117
February 2025104
January 2025105
December 2024123
November 2024139
October 2024156
September 2024109
August 2024172
July 2024204
June 2024332

A total of 1030 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 103.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 170 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202580
February 202574
January 202592
December 202477
November 202499
October 2024131
September 202485
August 2024118
July 2024104
June 2024170

A total of 2036 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 203.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 456 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025207
February 2025114
January 2025149
December 2024144
November 2024145
October 2024194
September 2024177
August 2024210
July 2024240
June 2024456

A total of 618 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 61.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202545
February 202528
January 202540
December 202469
November 202460
October 202482
September 202449
August 202480
July 202467
June 202498

A total of 437 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 43.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202531
February 202542
January 202529
December 202439
November 202438
October 202457
September 202431
August 202460
July 202436
June 202474

A total of 151 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 15.10 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20255
February 202513
January 202518
December 202411
November 202412
October 202419
September 202415
August 202414
July 202422
June 202422

A total of 267 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 26.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202520
February 202527
January 202516
December 202426
November 202427
October 202433
September 202420
August 202429
July 202431
June 202438

High Crime Locations Reading in March 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total47
Shoplifting47
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total39
Shoplifting24
Bicycle theft6
Violence and sexual offences4
Theft from the person4
Other crime1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting35
Robbery1
4. Police Station (Map)
Total23
Violence and sexual offences9
Other theft4
Vehicle crime2
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour2
Theft from the person1
Robbery1
Other crime1
Drugs1
5. Friar Street (Map)
Total21
Violence and sexual offences11
Shoplifting8
Theft from the person2
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting10
Theft from the person5
Other theft3
Bicycle theft2

  • 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.