Crime in Heath & Reach: statistics, rates and trends
317 crimes were recorded in Heath & Reach in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Heath & Reach at a glance
- Crime trends in Heath & Reach
- Types of crime in Heath & Reach
- Heath & Reach compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Heath & Reach
- What happened after crimes were reported in Heath & Reach
- Population and deprivation in Heath & Reach
- Questions about crime in Heath & Reach
- About this data
317 crimes were recorded in Heath & Reach in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 89 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Heath & Reach has the 2,183rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Heath & Reach | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 317 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 71.1 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 4,460 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Heath & Reach was highest in the year to July 2019 (538 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (311). Over the whole period it fell 38%, 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 | 317 | 71.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 330 | 74.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 389 | 87.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 336 | 75.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 311 | 69.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 353 | 79.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 483 | 108.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 538 | 120.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 508 | 113.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 30 |
| June 2026 | 28 |
| May 2026 | 38 |
| April 2026 | 28 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 25 |
| January 2026 | 14 |
| December 2025 | 18 |
| November 2025 | 25 |
| October 2025 | 18 |
| September 2025 | 34 |
| August 2025 | 28 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Heath & Reach 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 other theft, other crime.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+33%). The largest falls were in burglary (-65%) and public order (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 89 | 20.0 | 0.58 | -17% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 61 | 13.7 | 0.89 | +33% |
| Other theft | 40 | 9.0 | 1.40 | +8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 32 | 7.2 | 1.06 | -22% |
| Vehicle crime | 27 | 6.1 | 1.23 | -7% |
| Public order | 20 | 4.5 | 0.67 | -29% |
| Other crime | 12 | 2.7 | 1.27 | +100% |
| Drugs | 10 | 2.2 | 0.69 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 8 | 1.8 | 0.22 | +167% |
| Burglary | 7 | 1.6 | 0.44 | -65% |
| Robbery | 7 | 1.6 | 1.16 | +133% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 0.46 | -33% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.27 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.13 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Heath & Reach
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Heath & Reach recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 28.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Heath & Reach
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Heath & Reach recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 19.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Heath & Reach
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Heath & Reach recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 12.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Heath & Reach
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Heath & Reach recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Heath & Reach
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Heath & Reach recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Heath & Reach
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Heath & Reach recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Heath & Reach
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Heath & Reach recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Heath & Reach
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Heath & Reach recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Heath & Reach
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Heath & Reach recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Heath & Reach
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Heath & Reach recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 65% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Heath & Reach
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Heath & Reach recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Heath & Reach
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Heath & Reach recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Heath & Reach
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Heath & Reach recorded 1 report 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 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Heath & Reach
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Heath & Reach 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 Heath & Reach, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Heath & Reach.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Heath & Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leighton-Linslade North | 783 | 46.9 | -34% |
| Leighton-Linslade South | 1,452 | 88.9 | +25% |
| Leighton-Linslade West | 697 | 52.3 | -26% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -39% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | -15% |
| Houghton Regis West | 1,161 | 93.5 | +32% |
| Houghton Regis East | 1,125 | 90.1 | +27% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +51% |
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 Heath & Reach over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Stanbridge Road | 34 |
| On or near Clifford Close | 21 |
| On or near Dunstable Road | 17 |
| On or near Parking Area | 16 |
| On or near Hockley Court | 12 |
| On or near Manor Avenue | 12 |
| On or near Blackhill | 12 |
| On or near Gipsy Lane | 11 |
| On or near Greenacres | 10 |
| On or near Sandy Lane | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Heath & Reach 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 | 105 | 33.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 90 | 28.4% |
| Not recorded | 61 | 19.2% |
| Under investigation | 24 | 7.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 13 | 4.1% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 1.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 4 | 1.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.6% |
Heath & Reach has an estimated population of 4,460. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Heath & Reach sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Heath & Reach |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 79.2% |
| Social rented homes | 9.7% |
| Private rented homes | 11.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.7 |
Is Heath & Reach a safe place to live?
Heath & Reach recorded 71.1 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 Heath & Reach?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (61).
Is crime in Heath & Reach going up or down?
Recorded crime in Heath & Reach was down 4% on the year before: 317 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 330 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Heath & Reach?
Heath & Reach 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 Heath & Reach. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.