Crime in Harrold, Bedford: statistics, rates and trends
340 crimes were recorded in Harrold, Bedford in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Harrold, Bedford at a glance
- Crime trends in Harrold, Bedford
- Types of crime in Harrold, Bedford
- Harrold, Bedford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Harrold, Bedford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harrold, Bedford
- Population and deprivation in Harrold, Bedford
- Questions about crime in Harrold, Bedford
- About this data
340 crimes were recorded in Harrold, Bedford in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 124 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Harrold, Bedford has the 2,140th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harrold, Bedford | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 340 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 72.0 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +23% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 4,722 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harrold, Bedford was highest in the year to July 2024 (343 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (251). Over the whole period it rose 7%, 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 | 340 | 72.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 277 | 58.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 343 | 72.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 261 | 55.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 258 | 54.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 290 | 61.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 251 | 53.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 269 | 57.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 319 | 67.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 33 |
| June 2026 | 21 |
| May 2026 | 40 |
| April 2026 | 30 |
| March 2026 | 48 |
| February 2026 | 20 |
| January 2026 | 22 |
| December 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 14 |
| October 2025 | 34 |
| September 2025 | 28 |
| August 2025 | 30 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harrold, Bedford 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 burglary, other crime, possession of weapons. The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 124 | 26.3 | 0.77 | +19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 61 | 12.9 | 0.84 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 32 | 6.8 | 1.00 | +7% |
| Burglary | 31 | 6.6 | 1.86 | +158% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 4.2 | 0.86 | +67% |
| Public order | 19 | 4.0 | 0.61 | +27% |
| Other crime | 18 | 3.8 | 1.81 | +157% |
| Other theft | 15 | 3.2 | 0.50 | +0% |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.3 | 0.39 | +20% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.3 | 1.31 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 5 | 1.1 | 0.13 | -38% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.4 | 0.31 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.13 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Harrold, Bedford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harrold, Bedford recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 36.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harrold, Bedford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harrold, Bedford recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 17.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harrold, Bedford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harrold, Bedford recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harrold, Bedford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harrold, Bedford recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 158% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harrold, Bedford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harrold, Bedford recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harrold, Bedford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harrold, Bedford recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harrold, Bedford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harrold, Bedford recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 157% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harrold, Bedford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harrold, Bedford recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harrold, Bedford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harrold, Bedford recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harrold, Bedford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harrold, Bedford recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harrold, Bedford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harrold, Bedford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Harrold, Bedford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harrold, Bedford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harrold, Bedford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harrold, Bedford recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Harrold, Bedford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harrold, Bedford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harrold, Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharnbrook | 200 | 45.5 | -37% |
| Riseley | 190 | 60.7 | -16% |
| Bromham | 136 | 23.1 | -68% |
| Clapham & Oakley | 302 | 44.2 | -39% |
| Biddenham | 250 | 54.9 | -24% |
| Brickhill | 498 | 55.9 | -22% |
| Great Denham | 270 | 59.9 | -17% |
| Harpur | 1,487 | 160.0 | +122% |
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 Harrold, Bedford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Lancaster Gardens | 26 |
| On or near High Street | 24 |
| On or near Manor Lane | 24 |
| On or near Rushden Road | 24 |
| On or near Peach'S Close | 16 |
| On or near White Lane | 15 |
| On or near Brook Farm Close | 14 |
| On or near Hall Close | 12 |
| On or near Cambridge Street | 11 |
| On or near Hinwick Road | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harrold, Bedford 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 124 | 36.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 85 | 25.0% |
| Not recorded | 61 | 17.9% |
| Under investigation | 28 | 8.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 4.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 8 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 2.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.9% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.6% |
Harrold, Bedford has an estimated population of 4,722. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harrold, Bedford sits in decile 6.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harrold, Bedford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.0% |
| Social rented homes | 10.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.2 |
Is Harrold, Bedford a safe place to live?
Harrold, Bedford recorded 72.0 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 Harrold, Bedford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (61).
Is crime in Harrold, Bedford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harrold, Bedford was up 23% on the year before: 340 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 277 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harrold, Bedford?
Harrold, Bedford 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 Harrold, Bedford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.