Crime Rate in West Berkshire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Berkshire

The total recorded crimes in West Berkshire, UK in January 2026 are around 1,004 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Berkshire crime rate of 6.22 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 West Berkshire, encompassing approximately 161,447 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (426) incidents (18.33% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (99) incidents (47.76% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (88) incidents (-20.72% decrease)
West Berkshire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Hospital with total crimes: 60
  • Ferndale Avenue with total crimes: 18
  • Bridge Street with total crimes: 13

West Berkshire Police Info:

Thames Valley Police

West Berkshire Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Thatcham Central (184 crimes), and the safest, Bucklebury (1 crimes), is 183 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across West Berkshire.

Similarly, the area of Newbury Central & Greenham (147 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Lambourn & Great Shefford (12 crimes), with a difference of 135 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within West Berkshire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Thatcham Central184
Newbury Central93
Burghfield & Mortimer88
Newbury Greenham79
Hungerford & Kintbury68

Safest Wards:

Pangbourne15
Lambourn11
Basildon5
Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham4
Bucklebury1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Newbury Central & Greenham147
Thatcham South East & Bradfield123
Thatcham Town90
Burghfield Common65
Newbury South West52

Safest Areas:

Thatcham West24
Streatley & Pangbourne20
Purley on Thames18
Westwood13
Lambourn & Great Shefford12

West Berkshire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (426 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (99 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 360 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 111 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (456 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (117 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (416 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (151 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (486 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (156 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (467 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (176 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 508 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 207 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (433 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (170 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (491 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (248 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (386 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (174 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (433 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (172 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 353 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 117 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1872 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 156.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 248 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202688
December 2025111
November 2025112
October 2025141
September 2025156
August 2025176
July 2025207
June 2025170
May 2025248
April 2025174
March 2025172
February 2025117

A total of 634 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 52.83 incidents per month. December 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202629
December 202581
November 202572
October 202561
September 202538
August 202555
July 202538
June 202546
May 202554
April 202567
March 202550
February 202543

A total of 125 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.42 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202612
December 20257
November 202510
October 202514
September 202514
August 202510
July 202511
June 20257
May 202512
April 202510
March 202513
February 20255

A total of 68 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.67 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20264
December 20257
November 20259
October 20256
September 20252
August 20254
July 20257
June 20255
May 20257
April 20257
March 20255
February 20255

A total of 887 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 73.92 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 92 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202671
December 202576
November 202573
October 202572
September 202568
August 202579
July 202572
June 202563
May 202571
April 202592
March 202583
February 202567

A total of 396 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202635
December 202531
November 202527
October 202531
September 202540
August 202535
July 202535
June 202525
May 202544
April 202533
March 202530
February 202530

A total of 1215 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 101.25 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 151 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202682
December 202586
November 202577
October 2025151
September 2025141
August 2025121
July 202585
June 2025104
May 202599
April 202588
March 202595
February 202586

A total of 155 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.92 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20269
December 20254
November 202514
October 202518
September 202513
August 202510
July 202514
June 20259
May 202521
April 202515
March 202512
February 202516

A total of 1284 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 107.00 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 142 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202699
December 202567
November 2025117
October 2025142
September 202592
August 202579
July 2025109
June 2025110
May 202598
April 2025135
March 2025134
February 2025102

A total of 1104 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 92.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202661
December 202560
November 202568
October 202581
September 202569
August 202599
July 2025112
June 2025109
May 2025134
April 2025114
March 2025111
February 202586

A total of 347 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.92 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202637
December 202528
November 202520
October 202522
September 202534
August 202539
July 202521
June 202521
May 202528
April 202522
March 202544
February 202531

A total of 519 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 43.25 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202648
December 202530
November 202555
October 202551
September 202562
August 202520
July 202557
June 202538
May 202524
April 202539
March 202564
February 202531

A total of 5215 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 434.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 508 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026426
December 2025360
November 2025456
October 2025416
September 2025486
August 2025467
July 2025508
June 2025433
May 2025491
April 2025386
March 2025433
February 2025353

A total of 54 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.50 incidents per month. December 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20263
December 20259
November 20255
October 20253
September 20251
August 20255
July 20256
June 20253
May 20252
April 20255
March 20257
February 20255

High Crime Locations West Berkshire in January 2026

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

1. Hospital (Map)
Total60
Violence and sexual offences48
Public order6
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour3
2. Ferndale Avenue (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour9
3. Bridge Street (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting8
Violence and sexual offences5
4. Broadway (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Drugs3
Bicycle theft3
5. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson6
6. Old Anvilles (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences12

  • 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.