Crime in Luton district: statistics, rates and trends

22,055 crimes were recorded in Luton district in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 7,858 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Luton district has the 126th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Luton district was highest in the year to July 2019 (26,872 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (21,813). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 Luton 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 vehicle crime, drugs, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in robbery (+21%) and drugs (+15%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-19%) and burglary (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Luton district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Luton district recorded 7,858 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 35.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Luton district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Luton district recorded 3,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Luton district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Luton district recorded 1,829 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Luton district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Luton district recorded 1,612 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Luton district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Luton district recorded 1,475 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Luton district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Luton district recorded 1,459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Luton district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Luton district recorded 1,415 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Luton district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Luton district recorded 1,091 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Luton district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Luton district recorded 556 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Luton district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Luton district recorded 473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Luton district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Luton district recorded 356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Luton district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Luton district recorded 337 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Luton district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Luton district recorded 243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Luton district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Luton district recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

21 areas within Luton district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (449.6 per 1,000) and Barnfield the lowest (45.8). 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 Luton district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Luton 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.

Luton district has an estimated population of 239,090. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Luton district sits in decile 3.7, more 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 Luton district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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