Crime in Downlands: statistics, rates and trends
174 crimes were recorded in Downlands in the 12 months to August 2026, 38.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Downlands at a glance
- Crime trends in Downlands
- Types of crime in Downlands
- Downlands compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Downlands
- What happened after crimes were reported in Downlands
- Demographics of Downlands
- Questions about crime in Downlands
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (68), criminal damage and arson (29) and burglary (15) made up 64% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,504th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Downlands | West Berkshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 174 | 10,756 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 38.2 | 65.1 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 4,555 | 165,112 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Downlands peaked in the year to August 2025 (186 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2018 (143). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 22%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 174 | 38.2 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 186 | 40.8 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 148 | 32.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 177 | 38.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 168 | 36.9 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 160 | 35.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 177 | 38.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 157 | 34.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 143 | 31.4 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 7 |
| July 2026 | 12 |
| June 2026 | 21 |
| May 2026 | 20 |
| April 2026 | 9 |
| March 2026 | 10 |
| February 2026 | 17 |
| January 2026 | 12 |
| December 2025 | 11 |
| November 2025 | 28 |
| October 2025 | 15 |
| September 2025 | 12 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (56% below) was well below it. On the year before, criminal damage and arson fell from 42 to 29.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 68 | 14.9 | 34.2 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 29 | 6.4 | 6.7 | -31% |
| Burglary | 15 | 3.3 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Anti-social behaviour | 13 | 2.9 | 15.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 11 | 2.4 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Other crime | 10 | 2.2 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Other theft | 10 | 2.2 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 9 | 2.0 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.3 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 1 | 0.2 | 8.5 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Downlands; the highest is Newbury Central (190.0 per 1,000) and the lowest Chieveley & Cold Ash (37.2).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Downlands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chieveley & Cold Ash | 319 | 37.2 | -3% |
| Ridgeway | 125 | 37.4 | -2% |
| Newbury Speen | 732 | 72.9 | +91% |
| Lambourn | 233 | 56.1 | +47% |
| Newbury Clay Hill | 796 | 88.4 | +132% |
| Newbury Central | 1,222 | 190.0 | +397% |
| Thatcham West | 346 | 51.1 | +34% |
| Newbury Greenham | 1,110 | 86.2 | +126% |
The 10 locations below account for 42% of the crime recorded in Downlands over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (16).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 16 |
| On or near Old Bothampstead Road | 9 |
| On or near Sheephouse Way | 8 |
| On or near St Andrews Close | 8 |
| On or near Norris Field | 6 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 6 |
| On or near Churchway | 5 |
| On or near Dogkennel Lane | 5 |
| On or near Ermin Street | 5 |
| On or near Shop Lane | 5 |
Of the 161 crimes in Downlands with a recorded outcome, 35% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.7% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 13 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 58 | 36.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 56 | 34.8% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 15 | 9.3% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 13 | 8.1% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 4.3% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.6% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
Downlands has an estimated population of 4,555 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (6.0%, against 23.3%), fewer residents with no qualifications (12%, against 18%) and fewer students (5.3%, against 7.9%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Downlands average decile 6.4 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Downlands | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.7% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 63.8% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 22.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.3% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 40.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 6.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.0% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 15.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 19.7% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Downlands a safe place to live?
Downlands recorded 38.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,504th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Downlands?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 68 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (29).
Is crime in Downlands going up or down?
Recorded crime in Downlands was down 6% on the year before: 174 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 186 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Downlands?
About 4,555 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 23% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Downlands?
Downlands is policed by Thames Valley.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.