Crime in Bedford district: statistics, rates and trends

18,267 crimes were recorded in Bedford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,517 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Bedford district has the 119th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bedford district was highest in the year to July 2019 (19,634 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (16,144). Over the whole period it fell 4%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bedford district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in robbery (+57%) and possession of weapons (+24%). The largest falls were in burglary (-21%) and bicycle theft (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bedford district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bedford district recorded 6,517 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bedford district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bedford district recorded 2,876 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bedford district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bedford district recorded 1,738 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bedford district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bedford district recorded 1,238 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bedford district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bedford district recorded 1,202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bedford district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bedford district recorded 1,109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bedford district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bedford district recorded 1,080 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bedford district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bedford district recorded 709 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bedford district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bedford district recorded 574 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bedford district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bedford district recorded 447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bedford district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bedford district recorded 231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bedford district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bedford district recorded 224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bedford district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bedford district recorded 215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bedford district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bedford district recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Bedford district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bedford district.

47 areas within Bedford district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Greyfriars had the highest rate (418.8 per 1,000) and Turvey the lowest (13.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Bedford district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bedford district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Bedford district has an estimated population of 194,976. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bedford district sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Bedford district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.