Crime Rate in Reading: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Reading

The total recorded crimes in Reading, UK in May 2025 are around 1,901 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Reading crime rate of 10.91 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (648) incidents (18.68% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (275) incidents (-5.82% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (218) incidents (15.34% increase)
Reading Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 36
  • The Triangle with total crimes: 32
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 31

Reading Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Abbey (401 crimes), and the safest, Caversham Heights (18 crimes), is 383 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Reading.

Similarly, the area of Central Reading North (346 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Caversham Heights (10 crimes), with a difference of 336 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Reading.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Abbey401
Battle137
Southcote135
Whitley134
Park120

Safest Wards:

Norcot94
Caversham90
Kentwood88
Emmer Green21
Caversham Heights18

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Reading North346
Kennet Island & Green Park159
Palmer Park146
Central Reading South139
Battle & Caversham Bridge132

Safest Areas:

Leighton Park53
Caversham Balmore Park33
Tilehurst North29
Caversham Emmer Green21
Caversham Heights10

Reading Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (648 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (275 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (546 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (292 incidents) also being high.

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1987 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 180.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025218
April 2025189
March 2025207
February 2025114
January 2025149
December 2024144
November 2024145
October 2024194
September 2024177
August 2024210
July 2024240

A total of 6427 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 584.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 648 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025648
April 2025546
March 2025594
February 2025492
January 2025519
December 2024573
November 2024573
October 2024575
September 2024627
August 2024634
July 2024646

A total of 286 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 26.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202529
March 202520
February 202527
January 202516
December 202426
November 202427
October 202433
September 202420
August 202429
July 202431

A total of 440 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 40.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202548
April 202550
March 202549
February 202525
January 202523
December 202435
November 202441
October 202445
September 202445
August 202439
July 202440

A total of 633 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 57.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202561
April 202552
March 202545
February 202528
January 202540
December 202469
November 202460
October 202482
September 202449
August 202480
July 202467

A total of 1473 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 133.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 204 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025133
April 2025111
March 2025117
February 2025104
January 2025105
December 2024123
November 2024139
October 2024156
September 2024109
August 2024172
July 2024204

A total of 2525 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 229.55 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 297 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025275
April 2025292
March 2025297
February 2025212
January 2025197
December 2024193
November 2024201
October 2024246
September 2024236
August 2024182
July 2024194

A total of 1250 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 113.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 138 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025118
April 2025105
March 2025113
February 202596
January 202598
December 202486
November 2024123
October 2024125
September 2024112
August 2024136
July 2024138

A total of 283 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 25.73 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202525
April 202529
March 202525
February 202524
January 202535
December 202422
November 202425
October 202415
September 202432
August 202420
July 202431

A total of 392 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 35.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202533
March 202537
February 202537
January 202536
December 202439
November 202436
October 202448
September 202431
August 202433
July 202436

A total of 432 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 39.27 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 60 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202539
April 202530
March 202531
February 202542
January 202529
December 202439
November 202438
October 202457
September 202431
August 202460
July 202436

A total of 1288 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 117.09 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 147 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025147
April 2025101
March 2025121
February 202588
January 2025120
December 2024102
November 2024107
October 2024134
September 2024121
August 2024109
July 2024138

A total of 157 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 14.27 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202513
March 20255
February 202513
January 202518
December 202411
November 202412
October 202419
September 202415
August 202414
July 202422

A total of 1084 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 98.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 131 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025120
April 2025104
March 202580
February 202574
January 202592
December 202477
November 202499
October 2024131
September 202485
August 2024118
July 2024104

High Crime Locations Reading in May 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting24
Violence and sexual offences5
Theft from the person3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other crime1
Bicycle theft1
2. The Triangle (Map)
Total32
Shoplifting30
Robbery2
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total31
Shoplifting30
Robbery1
4. Police Station (Map)
Total21
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order5
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson2
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person1
5. Station Road (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting13
Public order4
Robbery2
Other theft2
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting18
Theft from the person1

  • 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.