Crime in West Berkshire: statistics, rates and trends
10,809 crimes were recorded in West Berkshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Berkshire at a glance
- Crime trends in West Berkshire
- Types of crime in West Berkshire
- West Berkshire compared with nearby districts
- Areas within West Berkshire
- Streets with the most crime in West Berkshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Berkshire
- Population and deprivation in West Berkshire
- Questions about crime in West Berkshire
- About this data
10,809 crimes were recorded in West Berkshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 4,008 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Berkshire has the 241st highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Berkshire | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 10,809 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 65.5 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 165,112 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Berkshire was highest in the year to July 2023 (11,451 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (9,546). Over the whole period it rose 10%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 10,809 | 65.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 11,216 | 67.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 10,812 | 65.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 11,451 | 69.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 11,084 | 67.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 9,991 | 60.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 9,546 | 57.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 10,247 | 62.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 9,784 | 59.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,079 |
| June 2026 | 917 |
| May 2026 | 1,011 |
| April 2026 | 839 |
| March 2026 | 900 |
| February 2026 | 751 |
| January 2026 | 789 |
| December 2025 | 780 |
| November 2025 | 898 |
| October 2025 | 918 |
| September 2025 | 933 |
| August 2025 | 994 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Berkshire 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 other crime (+33%).
The largest falls were in theft from the person (-48%) and bicycle theft (-34%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,008 | 24.3 | 0.71 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,426 | 8.6 | 0.56 | -7% |
| Shoplifting | 1,185 | 7.2 | 0.87 | +5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 939 | 5.7 | 0.84 | +3% |
| Public order | 812 | 4.9 | 0.74 | -12% |
| Other theft | 689 | 4.2 | 0.65 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 436 | 2.6 | 0.54 | -21% |
| Burglary | 401 | 2.4 | 0.69 | -3% |
| Other crime | 322 | 2.0 | 0.92 | +33% |
| Drugs | 319 | 1.9 | 0.59 | -23% |
| Bicycle theft | 104 | 0.6 | 0.77 | -34% |
| Robbery | 89 | 0.5 | 0.40 | +3% |
| Possession of weapons | 50 | 0.3 | 0.31 | -28% |
| Theft from the person | 29 | 0.2 | 0.10 | -48% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Berkshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Berkshire recorded 4,008 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 37.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Berkshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Berkshire recorded 1,426 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Berkshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Berkshire recorded 1,185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Berkshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Berkshire recorded 939 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Berkshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Berkshire recorded 812 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Berkshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Berkshire recorded 689 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Berkshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Berkshire recorded 436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Berkshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Berkshire recorded 401 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Berkshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Berkshire recorded 322 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 up 33% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Berkshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Berkshire recorded 319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Berkshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Berkshire recorded 104 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 34% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Berkshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Berkshire recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Berkshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Berkshire recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Berkshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Berkshire recorded 29 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 48% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to West Berkshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Berkshire.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Berkshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basingstoke and Deane | 13,432 | 69.6 | +6% |
| Reading | 20,512 | 112.1 | +71% |
| South Oxfordshire | 7,327 | 46.8 | -28% |
| Wokingham | 8,392 | 44.8 | -32% |
| Vale of White Horse | 7,923 | 53.1 | -19% |
| Hart | 4,575 | 44.3 | -32% |
| Bracknell Forest | 8,552 | 65.4 | -0% |
| Oxford | 17,736 | 106.8 | +63% |
46 areas within West Berkshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Newbury Central had the highest rate (188.1 per 1,000) and Bradfield (West Berkshire) the lowest (18.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Central | Neighbourhood | 6,433 | 1,210 | 188.1 |
| Newbury | Town | 41,309 | 3,836 | 92.9 |
| Thatcham Central | Neighbourhood | 9,670 | 897 | 92.8 |
| Newbury Clay Hill | Neighbourhood | 9,001 | 803 | 89.2 |
| Newbury Greenham | Neighbourhood | 12,878 | 1,118 | 86.8 |
| Burghfield & Mortimer | Neighbourhood | 9,892 | 823 | 83.2 |
| Theale (West Berkshire) | Town | 3,100 | 255 | 82.3 |
| Theale | Neighbourhood | 3,100 | 255 | 82.3 |
| Mortimer | Town | 3,728 | 286 | 76.7 |
| Newbury Speen | Neighbourhood | 10,041 | 746 | 74.3 |
| Burghfield Common | Town | 6,793 | 501 | 73.8 |
| Chieveley | Town | 1,542 | 111 | 72.0 |
| Aldermaston | Town | 1,516 | 106 | 69.9 |
| Thatcham | Town | 25,528 | 1,695 | 66.4 |
| Hungerford | Town | 6,153 | 401 | 65.2 |
| Greenham | Town | 1,875 | 120 | 64.0 |
| Tilehurst Birch Copse | Neighbourhood | 7,845 | 502 | 64.0 |
| Pangbourne | Town | 3,385 | 208 | 61.4 |
| Pangbourne | Neighbourhood | 3,385 | 208 | 61.4 |
| Aldermaston | Neighbourhood | 4,289 | 250 | 58.3 |
| Lambourn | Town | 4,154 | 236 | 56.8 |
| Lambourn | Neighbourhood | 4,154 | 236 | 56.8 |
| Thatcham North East | Neighbourhood | 7,362 | 416 | 56.5 |
| Tilehurst South & Holybrook | Neighbourhood | 7,804 | 407 | 52.2 |
| Hungerford & Kintbury | Neighbourhood | 11,172 | 578 | 51.7 |
| Thatcham West | Neighbourhood | 6,771 | 343 | 50.7 |
| Newbury Wash Common | Neighbourhood | 9,709 | 468 | 48.2 |
| Bradfield | Neighbourhood | 7,647 | 356 | 46.6 |
| Upper Bucklebury | Town | 1,567 | 69 | 44.0 |
| Bucklebury | Neighbourhood | 1,567 | 69 | 44.0 |
| Downlands | Neighbourhood | 4,555 | 186 | 40.8 |
| Compton (West Berkshire) | Town | 1,813 | 72 | 39.7 |
| Ridgeway | Neighbourhood | 3,345 | 128 | 38.3 |
| Kintbury | Town | 1,479 | 56 | 37.9 |
| Chieveley & Cold Ash | Neighbourhood | 8,584 | 322 | 37.5 |
| Hampstead Norreys | Town | 1,532 | 56 | 36.6 |
| Tilehurst & Purley | Neighbourhood | 11,171 | 387 | 34.6 |
| Hermitage | Town | 2,366 | 78 | 33.0 |
| Cold Ash | Town | 4,676 | 133 | 28.4 |
| Southend | Town | 1,385 | 34 | 24.5 |
| Great Shefford | Town | 1,424 | 34 | 23.9 |
| Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham | Neighbourhood | 1,725 | 39 | 22.6 |
| Upper Basildon | Town | 1,699 | 35 | 20.6 |
| Basildon | Neighbourhood | 3,012 | 62 | 20.6 |
| Streatley (West Berkshire) | Town | 1,313 | 27 | 20.6 |
| Bradfield (West Berkshire) | Town | 1,756 | 33 | 18.8 |
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 West Berkshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 554 |
| On or near Parking Area | 439 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 326 |
| On or near Hospital | 204 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 197 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 188 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 137 |
| On or near Stirrup Close | 126 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 109 |
| On or near Northbrook Street | 98 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Berkshire 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,242 | 30.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2,919 | 27.0% |
| Not recorded | 1,426 | 13.2% |
| Under investigation | 1,302 | 12.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 531 | 4.9% |
| Local resolution | 447 | 4.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 408 | 3.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 200 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 143 | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 85 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 78 | 0.7% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 16 | 0.1% |
West Berkshire has an estimated population of 165,112. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Berkshire sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.9% |
| Social rented homes | 14.0% |
| Private rented homes | 17.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is West Berkshire a safe place to live?
West Berkshire recorded 65.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in West Berkshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,008 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,426).
Is crime in West Berkshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Berkshire was down 4% on the year before: 10,809 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 11,216 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Berkshire?
West Berkshire is policed by Thames Valley. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 West Berkshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.