What is the crime rate in reading?

As of February 2026, reading has a crime rate of 8.83 per 1,000 residents, based on 1,538 recorded offences.

How does reading rank nationally for crime?

reading ranks #83 out of 331 local authorities by total crime volume.

What is the most common crime in reading?

The most common crime type in reading is Violence and sexual offences with 534 incidents in February 2026, accounting for 34.7% of all crime.

What is the crime rate in reading?

As of February 2026, reading has a crime rate of 8.83 per 1,000 residents, based on 1,538 recorded offences.

How does reading rank nationally for crime?

reading ranks #83 out of 331 local authorities by total crime volume.

What is the most common crime in reading?

The most common crime type in reading is Violence and sexual offences with 534 incidents in February 2026, accounting for 34.7% of all crime.

February 2026 Source: Thames Valley Police Police

reading Crime Intelligence Report

reading recorded 1,538 crimes in February 2026, equating to a crime rate of 8.83 per 1,000 residents. This places reading at #83 of 331 local authorities nationally by total crime volume. Crime has decreased by 6.0% compared to the previous month. Year-on-year, crime levels are 11.8% higher.

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Data Sources:Police.ukONS Census 2021HM Land Registry Period: February 2026 • Updated monthly

Total Crimes

1,538

trending_down -6.0% vs last month

Crime Rate

8.83per 1k

Moderate

National Rank

#83of 331

By total crime volume

National Population

174,223

Estimated population

12-Month Crime Trend

Monthly Totals

Interactive Crime Map

District View

Live Points

Crime Incident

Area Boundary

Incident Distribution

Top Locations

Location Reference	Crime Breakdown	Primary Count
On or near Supermarket Map	Shoplifting: 74	74
On or near Shopping Area Map	Shoplifting: 41 Other theft: 4	41
On or near Petrol Station Map	Shoplifting: 41	41
On or near Conference/Exhibition Centre Map	Shoplifting: 26	26
On or near Parking Area Map	Violence and sexual offences: 19	19
On or near Cross Street Map	Shoplifting: 17	17
On or near Supermarket Map	Violence and sexual offences: 12 Drugs: 2	12
On or near Honey End Lane Map	Violence and sexual offences: 13	13
On or near Parking Area Map	Public order: 12	12
On or near Petrol Station Map	Other theft: 6 Public order: 5	6

Crime Breakdown

February 2026

1,538 Total

Violence & Sexual Offences

534

34.7%

Shoplifting

262

17.0%

Anti-social Behaviour

151

9.8%

Other Theft

129

8.4%

Public Order

123

8.0%

Criminal Damage & Arson

5.8%

Vehicle Crime

5.1%

Other Crime

2.2%

Drug Offences

2.2%

Burglary

1.8%

Robbery

1.8%

Bicycle Theft

1.5%

Theft from Person

1.0%

Weapons Possession

0.7%

Expert Safety Insights

Ward Safety Rankings

16 wards

Highest Crime

#	Ward	Crimes	Rate
1	Abbey	335	0.7
2	Coley	125	4.9
3	Southcote	124	4.7
4	Battle	119	2.8
5	Redlands	111	1.4

Safest Wards

	Ward	Crimes	Rate
shield	Emmer Green	21	1.5
shield	Caversham Heights	21	1.2
shield	Kentwood	52	2.3
shield	Church	60	0.5
shield	Tilehurst	72	2.8

Growth Analysis

Month-on-Monthtrending_down -6.0%

Year-on-Yeartrending_up +11.8%

Data Transparency

Crime rates are calculated per 1,000 residents using ONS Census 2021 population data. Rankings cover all 331 local authorities in England & Wales.

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