Crime in Central Bedfordshire: statistics, rates and trends

19,207 crimes were recorded in Central Bedfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,658 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Central Bedfordshire has the 261st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Central Bedfordshire was highest in the year to July 2019 (24,276 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (19,207). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 Central Bedfordshire 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. The largest increases were in drugs (+66%) and robbery (+64%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-27%) and other theft (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Central Bedfordshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Central Bedfordshire recorded 6,658 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 34.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Central Bedfordshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Central Bedfordshire recorded 3,801 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 19.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Central Bedfordshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,468 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Central Bedfordshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,404 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Central Bedfordshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Central Bedfordshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Central Bedfordshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Central Bedfordshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Central Bedfordshire recorded 702 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Central Bedfordshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Central Bedfordshire recorded 675 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Central Bedfordshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Central Bedfordshire recorded 525 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Central Bedfordshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Central Bedfordshire recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Central Bedfordshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Central Bedfordshire recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Central Bedfordshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Central Bedfordshire recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Central Bedfordshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Central Bedfordshire recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

72 areas within Central Bedfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Dunstable Central had the highest rate (107.6 per 1,000) and Clophill the lowest (26.3). 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 Central Bedfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Central Bedfordshire 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.

Central Bedfordshire has an estimated population of 315,877. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Central Bedfordshire sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. 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 Central Bedfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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