Crime in Dunstable South: statistics, rates and trends
307 crimes were recorded in Dunstable South in the 12 months to August 2026, 52.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 17% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Dunstable South at a glance
- Crime trends in Dunstable South
- Types of crime in Dunstable South
- Dunstable South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dunstable South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dunstable South
- Demographics of Dunstable South
- Questions about crime in Dunstable South
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (130), anti-social behaviour (44) and vehicle crime (35) made up 68% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,915th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Dunstable South | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 307 | 19,387 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 52.8 | 61.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -17% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 5,818 | 315,877 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Dunstable South of any year here (307 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 65%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 307 | 52.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 372 | 63.9 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 387 | 66.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 387 | 66.5 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 464 | 79.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 519 | 89.2 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 694 | 119.3 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 768 | 132.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 871 | 149.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 29 |
| July 2026 | 27 |
| June 2026 | 24 |
| May 2026 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 18 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 26 |
| January 2026 | 20 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 31 |
| October 2025 | 33 |
| September 2025 | 24 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and anti-social behaviour (51% below) and violence and sexual offences (35% below) were well below it. On the year before, vehicle crime rose from 24 to 35, while anti-social behaviour fell from 63 to 44.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 130 | 22.3 | 34.2 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 44 | 7.6 | 15.4 | -30% |
| Vehicle crime | 35 | 6.0 | 5.0 | +46% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 4.8 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 13 | 2.2 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other theft | 13 | 2.2 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 13 | 2.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.5 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Robbery | 8 | 1.4 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Other crime | 5 | 0.9 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.9 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 3 | 0.5 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Dunstable South; the highest is Dunstable Central (107.3 per 1,000) and the lowest Dunstable West (42.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dunstable South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunstable West | 352 | 42.3 | -20% |
| Dunstable East | 1,093 | 96.3 | +82% |
| Dunstable Central | 838 | 107.3 | +103% |
| Dunstable North | 619 | 63.2 | +20% |
| Houghton Regis West | 1,142 | 92.0 | +74% |
| Houghton Regis East | 1,161 | 93.0 | +76% |
| Caddington | 582 | 55.7 | +6% |
| Eaton Bray | 172 | 44.9 | -15% |
The 10 locations below account for 54% of the crime recorded in Dunstable South over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Oakwood Avenue” and “Walnut Grove” (19 each).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Oakwood Avenue | 19 |
| On or near Walnut Grove | 19 |
| On or near Albert Court | 17 |
| On or near Morcom Road | 17 |
| On or near Suffolk Road | 17 |
| On or near Mayfield Road | 16 |
| On or near Woodfield Gate | 16 |
| On or near Brive Road | 15 |
| On or near Jardine Way | 15 |
| On or near Stokers Close | 15 |
Of the 263 crimes in Dunstable South with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 44 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 113 | 43.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 85 | 32.3% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 18 | 6.8% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 13 | 4.9% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 3.8% | 5.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 2.7% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 2.3% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.8% | 3.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.5% |
Dunstable South has an estimated population of 5,818 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (29%, against 17%), less private renting (11%, against 20%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (26%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Dunstable South average decile 4.8 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Dunstable South | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.7% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 60.4% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 18.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.4% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 26.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 20.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 21.9% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.2% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 29.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Dunstable South a safe place to live?
Dunstable South recorded 52.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,915th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Dunstable South?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 130 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (44).
Is crime in Dunstable South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dunstable South was down 17% on the year before: 307 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 372 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Dunstable South?
About 5,818 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 16% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Dunstable South?
Dunstable South is policed by Bedfordshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.