Crime in Houghton Regis East: statistics, rates and trends
1,125 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis East in the 12 months to July 2026, 90.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Houghton Regis East at a glance
- Crime trends in Houghton Regis East
- Types of crime in Houghton Regis East
- Houghton Regis East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Houghton Regis East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Houghton Regis East
- Population and deprivation in Houghton Regis East
- Questions about crime in Houghton Regis East
- About this data
1,125 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis East in the 12 months to July 2026, 90.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 411 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Houghton Regis East has the 1,491st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Houghton Regis East | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,125 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 90.1 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +16% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 12,489 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis East was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,229 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (873). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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 | 1,125 | 90.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 973 | 77.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,163 | 93.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,030 | 82.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 910 | 72.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 889 | 71.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 873 | 69.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,229 | 98.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,157 | 92.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 151 |
| June 2026 | 117 |
| May 2026 | 115 |
| April 2026 | 119 |
| March 2026 | 91 |
| February 2026 | 77 |
| January 2026 | 84 |
| December 2025 | 66 |
| November 2025 | 75 |
| October 2025 | 77 |
| September 2025 | 77 |
| August 2025 | 76 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Houghton Regis East 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 anti-social behaviour, other crime.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+41%) and public order (+40%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-60%) and burglary (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 411 | 32.9 | 0.96 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 285 | 22.8 | 1.49 | +38% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 100 | 8.0 | 1.18 | +41% |
| Public order | 70 | 5.6 | 0.84 | +40% |
| Vehicle crime | 56 | 4.5 | 0.91 | -15% |
| Other theft | 55 | 4.4 | 0.69 | +12% |
| Other crime | 41 | 3.3 | 1.55 | +37% |
| Drugs | 33 | 2.6 | 0.81 | +94% |
| Burglary | 29 | 2.3 | 0.66 | -22% |
| Robbery | 21 | 1.7 | 1.24 | +425% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.6 | 0.78 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 8 | 0.6 | 0.08 | -60% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.4 | 0.41 | -38% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 0.14 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Houghton Regis East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Houghton Regis East recorded 411 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 36.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Houghton Regis East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Houghton Regis East recorded 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 25.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Houghton Regis East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Houghton Regis East recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Houghton Regis East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Houghton Regis East recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Houghton Regis East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Houghton Regis East recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Houghton Regis East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Houghton Regis East recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Houghton Regis East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Houghton Regis East recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Houghton Regis East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Houghton Regis East recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 94% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Houghton Regis East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Houghton Regis East recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Houghton Regis East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Houghton Regis East recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 425% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Houghton Regis East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Houghton Regis East recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Houghton Regis East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Houghton Regis East recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Houghton Regis East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Houghton Regis East recorded 5 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 38% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Houghton Regis East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Houghton Regis East recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Houghton Regis East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Houghton Regis East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Houghton Regis East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Regis West | 1,161 | 93.5 | +4% |
| Dunstable East | 1,065 | 93.8 | +4% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | -33% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +19% |
| Dunstable South | 302 | 51.9 | -42% |
| Toddington | 797 | 81.0 | -10% |
| Dunstable West | 364 | 43.7 | -51% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -52% |
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 Houghton Regis East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 120 |
| On or near Houghton Park Road | 86 |
| On or near Yew Street | 75 |
| On or near Thornhill Close | 45 |
| On or near Trident Drive | 44 |
| On or near Crossways | 42 |
| On or near Grove Road | 39 |
| On or near Enfield Close | 33 |
| On or near Brentwood Close | 32 |
| On or near Bromley Gardens | 31 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Houghton Regis East 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 | 354 | 31.5% |
| Not recorded | 285 | 25.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 277 | 24.6% |
| Under investigation | 80 | 7.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 29 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 25 | 2.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 14 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Houghton Regis East has an estimated population of 12,489. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Houghton Regis East sits in decile 4.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Houghton Regis East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.0% |
| Social rented homes | 26.6% |
| Private rented homes | 15.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.1 |
Is Houghton Regis East a safe place to live?
Houghton Regis East recorded 90.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Houghton Regis East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 411 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (285).
Is crime in Houghton Regis East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis East was up 16% on the year before: 1,125 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 973 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Houghton Regis East?
Houghton Regis East 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 Houghton Regis East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.