Crime in Dunstable West: statistics, rates and trends
364 crimes were recorded in Dunstable West in the 12 months to July 2026, 43.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 26% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dunstable West at a glance
- Crime trends in Dunstable West
- Types of crime in Dunstable West
- Dunstable West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dunstable West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dunstable West
- Population and deprivation in Dunstable West
- Questions about crime in Dunstable West
- About this data
364 crimes were recorded in Dunstable West in the 12 months to July 2026, 43.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 26% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 110 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Dunstable West has the 3,307th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dunstable West | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 364 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 43.7 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -26% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 8,328 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dunstable West was highest in the year to July 2018 (535 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (364). Over the whole period it fell 32%, 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 | 364 | 43.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 489 | 58.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 441 | 53.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 372 | 44.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 365 | 43.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 402 | 48.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 412 | 49.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 477 | 57.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 535 | 64.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 20 |
| May 2026 | 31 |
| April 2026 | 28 |
| March 2026 | 18 |
| February 2026 | 22 |
| January 2026 | 31 |
| December 2025 | 27 |
| November 2025 | 33 |
| October 2025 | 39 |
| September 2025 | 45 |
| August 2025 | 34 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dunstable West 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. The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+48%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-84%) and burglary (-48%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 110 | 13.2 | 0.39 | -11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 74 | 8.9 | 0.58 | -19% |
| Other theft | 44 | 5.3 | 0.83 | -25% |
| Vehicle crime | 40 | 4.8 | 0.98 | +48% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 18 | 2.2 | 0.32 | -22% |
| Public order | 18 | 2.2 | 0.33 | -25% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.8 | 0.51 | -48% |
| Drugs | 14 | 1.7 | 0.51 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 13 | 1.6 | 0.19 | -84% |
| Robbery | 8 | 1.0 | 0.71 | +60% |
| Other crime | 5 | 0.6 | 0.28 | -58% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.37 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.29 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dunstable West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dunstable West recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 30.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dunstable West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dunstable West recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 20.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dunstable West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dunstable West recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dunstable West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dunstable West recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dunstable West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dunstable West recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dunstable West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dunstable West recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dunstable West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dunstable West recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dunstable West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dunstable West recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dunstable West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dunstable West recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 84% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dunstable West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dunstable West recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dunstable West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dunstable West recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dunstable West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dunstable West recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dunstable West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dunstable West recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Dunstable West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dunstable West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dunstable West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunstable South | 302 | 51.9 | +19% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +146% |
| Dunstable East | 1,065 | 93.8 | +115% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | +39% |
| Houghton Regis West | 1,161 | 93.5 | +114% |
| Houghton Regis East | 1,125 | 90.1 | +106% |
| Caddington | 573 | 54.8 | +25% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -1% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 58 |
| On or near Lockhart Close | 35 |
| On or near Churchill Road | 22 |
| On or near London Road | 16 |
| On or near Patterdale Close | 15 |
| On or near Supermarket | 13 |
| On or near Garden Road | 12 |
| On or near Westdown Gardens | 9 |
| On or near Whipsnade Road | 8 |
| On or near Southfields Road | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dunstable West 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 | 126 | 34.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 107 | 29.4% |
| Not recorded | 74 | 20.3% |
| Under investigation | 18 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 9 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 2.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 5 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Dunstable West has an estimated population of 8,328. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dunstable West sits in decile 9.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dunstable West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.5% |
| Social rented homes | 3.8% |
| Private rented homes | 14.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.2 |
Is Dunstable West a safe place to live?
Dunstable West recorded 43.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Dunstable West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (74).
Is crime in Dunstable West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dunstable West was down 26% on the year before: 364 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 489 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dunstable West?
Dunstable West 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 West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.