Crime in Harrold, Bedford: statistics, rates and trends
336 crimes were recorded in Harrold, Bedford in the 12 months to August 2026, 71.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 20% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Harrold, Bedford
- Questions about crime in Harrold, Bedford
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (117), anti-social behaviour (59) and criminal damage and arson (36) made up 63% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,175th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Harrold, Bedford | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 336 | 18,621 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 71.2 | 95.5 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +20% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 4,722 | 194,976 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Harrold, Bedford peaked in the year to August 2024 (342 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2020 (249). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 2%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 336 | 71.2 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 279 | 59.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 342 | 72.4 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 254 | 53.8 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 271 | 57.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 292 | 61.8 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 249 | 52.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 260 | 55.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 330 | 69.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 26 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, Harrold, Bedford recorded notably more burglary (2.0 times the national rate), and notably less violence and sexual offences (28% below). On the year before, criminal damage and arson rose from 29 to 36.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 117 | 24.8 | 34.2 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 59 | 12.5 | 15.4 | -8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 7.6 | 6.7 | +24% |
| Burglary | 34 | 7.2 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Public order | 19 | 4.0 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 3.8 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Other crime | 17 | 3.6 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Other theft | 15 | 3.2 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.3 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 5 | 1.1 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
1 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Harrold, Bedford; the highest is Harpur (168.0 per 1,000) and the lowest Bromham (22.4).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harrold, Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharnbrook | 204 | 46.4 | -35% |
| Riseley | 186 | 59.5 | -16% |
| Bromham | 132 | 22.4 | -69% |
| Clapham & Oakley | 307 | 44.9 | -37% |
| Biddenham | 244 | 53.6 | -25% |
| Brickhill | 520 | 58.3 | -18% |
| Great Denham | 263 | 58.4 | -18% |
| Harpur | 1,561 | 168.0 | +136% |
The 10 locations below account for 55% of the crime recorded in Harrold, Bedford over the 12 months to August 2026; 4 locations are level at the top with 24 each.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 24 |
| On or near Lancaster Gardens | 24 |
| On or near Manor Lane | 24 |
| On or near Rushden Road | 24 |
| On or near White Lane | 21 |
| On or near Peach'S Close | 16 |
| On or near Brook Farm Close | 15 |
| On or near Hinwick Road | 15 |
| On or near Hall Close | 11 |
| On or near Cambridge Street | 10 |
Of the 277 crimes in Harrold, Bedford with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.9% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 59 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 112 | 40.4% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 88 | 31.8% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 36 | 13.0% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 5.8% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 8 | 2.9% | 5.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 1.1% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.7% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
Harrold, Bedford has an estimated population of 4,722 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (7.5%, against 23.3%), less social housing (10%, against 17%) and fewer residents with no qualifications (12%, against 18%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Harrold, Bedford average decile 6.2 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Harrold, Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.0% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 58.3% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 26.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.4% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 40.9% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.7% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 7.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.0% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 10.1% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.9% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.2 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Harrold, Bedford a safe place to live?
Harrold, Bedford recorded 71.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,175th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were burglary.
What is the most common crime in Harrold, Bedford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 117 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (59).
Is crime in Harrold, Bedford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harrold, Bedford was up 20% on the year before: 336 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 279 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Harrold, Bedford?
About 4,722 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 24% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Harrold, Bedford?
Harrold, Bedford 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.