Crime in Central, Luton: statistics, rates and trends
3,712 crimes were recorded in Central, Luton in the 12 months to July 2026, 449.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Central, Luton at a glance
- Crime trends in Central, Luton
- Types of crime in Central, Luton
- Central, Luton compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Central, Luton
- What happened after crimes were reported in Central, Luton
- Population and deprivation in Central, Luton
- Questions about crime in Central, Luton
- About this data
3,712 crimes were recorded in Central, Luton in the 12 months to July 2026, 449.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,027 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Central, Luton has the 22nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Central, Luton | Luton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,712 | 22,055 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 449.6 | 92.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 8,257 | 239,090 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Central, Luton was highest in the year to July 2025 (4,086 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (3,254). Over the whole period it rose 12%, 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 | 3,712 | 449.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,086 | 494.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,056 | 491.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,592 | 435.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,710 | 449.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,278 | 397.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,254 | 394.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,719 | 450.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,315 | 401.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 330 |
| June 2026 | 318 |
| May 2026 | 297 |
| April 2026 | 301 |
| March 2026 | 315 |
| February 2026 | 263 |
| January 2026 | 291 |
| December 2025 | 312 |
| November 2025 | 322 |
| October 2025 | 282 |
| September 2025 | 323 |
| August 2025 | 358 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Central, Luton 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+81%). The largest falls were in other crime (-35%) and burglary (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,027 | 124.4 | 3.63 | -1% |
| Shoplifting | 771 | 93.4 | 11.27 | -28% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 418 | 50.6 | 3.30 | +4% |
| Public order | 293 | 35.5 | 5.34 | -7% |
| Other theft | 244 | 29.6 | 4.62 | -2% |
| Drugs | 213 | 25.8 | 7.89 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 152 | 18.4 | 3.74 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 150 | 18.2 | 2.68 | -23% |
| Theft from the person | 123 | 14.9 | 8.82 | +6% |
| Robbery | 98 | 11.9 | 8.79 | +4% |
| Burglary | 74 | 9.0 | 2.53 | -31% |
| Bicycle theft | 58 | 7.0 | 8.53 | +81% |
| Possession of weapons | 57 | 6.9 | 7.11 | -7% |
| Other crime | 34 | 4.1 | 1.95 | -35% |
Violence and sexual offences in Central, Luton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Central, Luton recorded 1,027 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (124.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 27.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Central, Luton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Central, Luton recorded 771 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (93.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 20.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Central, Luton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Central, Luton recorded 418 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Central, Luton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Central, Luton recorded 293 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Central, Luton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Central, Luton recorded 244 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Central, Luton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Central, Luton recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Central, Luton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Central, Luton recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Central, Luton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Central, Luton recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Central, Luton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Central, Luton recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Central, Luton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Central, Luton recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Central, Luton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Central, Luton recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Central, Luton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Central, Luton recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 81% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Central, Luton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Central, Luton recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Central, Luton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Central, Luton recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Central, Luton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Central, Luton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Central, Luton |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Town | 1,354 | 108.6 | -76% |
| South | 1,872 | 148.1 | -67% |
| Farley | 2,010 | 116.5 | -74% |
| Dallow | 860 | 84.5 | -81% |
| Biscot | 701 | 61.6 | -86% |
| Round Green | 748 | 66.2 | -85% |
| Beech Hill | 1,199 | 78.0 | -83% |
| Vauxhall | 463 | 58.3 | -87% |
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, Luton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 523 |
| On or near Supermarket | 484 |
| On or near Parking Area | 346 |
| On or near Flowers Way | 251 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 201 |
| On or near Peel Street | 187 |
| On or near George Street | 172 |
| On or near Manchester Street | 130 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 101 |
| On or near Mill Street | 69 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Central, Luton 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 | 1,460 | 39.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,062 | 28.6% |
| Not recorded | 418 | 11.3% |
| Under investigation | 237 | 6.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 197 | 5.3% |
| Local resolution | 112 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 97 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 68 | 1.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 26 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 15 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.2% |
Central, Luton has an estimated population of 8,257. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Central, Luton sits in decile 1.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Central, Luton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 74.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 4.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 13.0% |
| Social rented homes | 26.7% |
| Private rented homes | 60.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 100.0% |
Is Central, Luton a safe place to live?
Central, Luton recorded 449.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Central, Luton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,027 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (771).
Is crime in Central, Luton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Central, Luton was down 9% on the year before: 3,712 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,086 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Central, Luton?
Central, Luton is policed by Bedfordshire. 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 Central, Luton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.