Crime in Bestwood: statistics, rates and trends

2,221 crimes were recorded in Bestwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 828 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bestwood has the 735th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bestwood was highest in the year to July 2024 (2,516 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,164). Over the whole period it fell 0%, 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 Bestwood 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in other crime (+48%) and other theft (+32%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-48%) and possession of weapons (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bestwood

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bestwood recorded 828 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 37.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bestwood

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bestwood recorded 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 19.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bestwood

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bestwood recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bestwood

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bestwood recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bestwood

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bestwood recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bestwood

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bestwood recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bestwood

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bestwood recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bestwood

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bestwood recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bestwood

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bestwood recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bestwood

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bestwood recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bestwood

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bestwood recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bestwood

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bestwood recorded 26 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 37% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bestwood

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bestwood recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bestwood

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bestwood recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Bestwood over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bestwood 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.

Bestwood has an estimated population of 17,560. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bestwood sits in decile 1.9, 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 Bestwood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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