Crime in Dunstable East: statistics, rates and trends
1,065 crimes were recorded in Dunstable East in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dunstable East at a glance
- Crime trends in Dunstable East
- Types of crime in Dunstable East
- Dunstable East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dunstable East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dunstable East
- Population and deprivation in Dunstable East
- Questions about crime in Dunstable East
- About this data
1,065 crimes were recorded in Dunstable East in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 280 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Dunstable East has the 1,396th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dunstable East | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,065 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 93.8 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 11,354 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dunstable East was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,824 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,065). Over the whole period it fell 42%, 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 | 1,065 | 93.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,145 | 100.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,190 | 104.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,139 | 100.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,258 | 110.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,326 | 116.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,449 | 127.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,709 | 150.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,824 | 160.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 97 |
| June 2026 | 88 |
| May 2026 | 107 |
| April 2026 | 77 |
| March 2026 | 71 |
| February 2026 | 101 |
| January 2026 | 72 |
| December 2025 | 95 |
| November 2025 | 91 |
| October 2025 | 91 |
| September 2025 | 83 |
| August 2025 | 92 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dunstable East 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 shoplifting, vehicle crime, robbery.
The largest increases were in burglary (+60%) and vehicle crime (+13%). The largest falls were in public order (-25%) and other theft (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 280 | 24.7 | 0.72 | +1% |
| Shoplifting | 227 | 20.0 | 2.41 | -19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 135 | 11.9 | 0.78 | -21% |
| Vehicle crime | 76 | 6.7 | 1.36 | +13% |
| Other theft | 73 | 6.4 | 1.01 | -24% |
| Public order | 66 | 5.8 | 0.87 | -25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 55 | 4.8 | 0.71 | -10% |
| Burglary | 48 | 4.2 | 1.20 | +60% |
| Drugs | 27 | 2.4 | 0.73 | -4% |
| Robbery | 26 | 2.3 | 1.70 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 17 | 1.5 | 1.82 | +70% |
| Other crime | 16 | 1.4 | 0.67 | +14% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.9 | 0.91 | +67% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.8 | 0.47 | +80% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dunstable East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dunstable East recorded 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 26.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dunstable East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dunstable East recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 21.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dunstable East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dunstable East recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 12.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dunstable East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dunstable East recorded 76 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 up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dunstable East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dunstable East recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dunstable East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dunstable East recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dunstable East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dunstable East recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dunstable East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dunstable East recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dunstable East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dunstable East recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dunstable East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dunstable East recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dunstable East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dunstable East recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dunstable East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dunstable East recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dunstable East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dunstable East recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dunstable East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dunstable East recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Dunstable East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dunstable East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dunstable East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunstable South | 302 | 51.9 | -45% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +15% |
| Dunstable West | 364 | 43.7 | -53% |
| Houghton Regis West | 1,161 | 93.5 | -0% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | -35% |
| Houghton Regis East | 1,125 | 90.1 | -4% |
| Caddington | 573 | 54.8 | -42% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -54% |
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 Dunstable East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 182 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 114 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 81 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 62 |
| On or near Dukeminster Road | 43 |
| On or near Russett Way | 29 |
| On or near Eastern Avenue | 22 |
| On or near Florence Close | 22 |
| On or near Bramley Court | 21 |
| On or near Church Walk | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dunstable East 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 | 484 | 45.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 259 | 24.3% |
| Not recorded | 135 | 12.7% |
| Under investigation | 70 | 6.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 37 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 32 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 2.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 12 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Dunstable East has an estimated population of 11,354. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dunstable East sits in decile 7.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dunstable East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.6% |
| Social rented homes | 6.8% |
| Private rented homes | 17.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.7 |
Is Dunstable East a safe place to live?
Dunstable East recorded 93.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Dunstable East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (227).
Is crime in Dunstable East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dunstable East was down 7% on the year before: 1,065 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,145 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dunstable East?
Dunstable East 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 Dunstable East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.