Crime in Houghton Regis West: statistics, rates and trends
1,161 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis West in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Houghton Regis West at a glance
- Crime trends in Houghton Regis West
- Types of crime in Houghton Regis West
- Houghton Regis West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Houghton Regis West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Houghton Regis West
- Population and deprivation in Houghton Regis West
- Questions about crime in Houghton Regis West
- About this data
1,161 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis West in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 459 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Houghton Regis West has the 1,400th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Houghton Regis West | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,161 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 93.5 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 12,411 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis West was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,376 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (920). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 1,161 | 93.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,140 | 91.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,178 | 94.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,011 | 81.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,056 | 85.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 920 | 74.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 940 | 75.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,211 | 97.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,376 | 110.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 110 |
| June 2026 | 92 |
| May 2026 | 114 |
| April 2026 | 88 |
| March 2026 | 73 |
| February 2026 | 80 |
| January 2026 | 82 |
| December 2025 | 79 |
| November 2025 | 98 |
| October 2025 | 127 |
| September 2025 | 91 |
| August 2025 | 127 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Houghton Regis 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, other crime.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+75%) and other crime (+68%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-89%) and burglary (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 459 | 37.0 | 1.08 | +21% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 239 | 19.3 | 1.26 | +14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 86 | 6.9 | 1.02 | +18% |
| Vehicle crime | 84 | 6.8 | 1.37 | +75% |
| Public order | 76 | 6.1 | 0.92 | +15% |
| Other theft | 69 | 5.6 | 0.87 | -15% |
| Other crime | 37 | 3.0 | 1.41 | +68% |
| Drugs | 36 | 2.9 | 0.89 | +12% |
| Burglary | 34 | 2.7 | 0.77 | -23% |
| Shoplifting | 18 | 1.5 | 0.18 | -89% |
| Robbery | 11 | 0.9 | 0.66 | +83% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.5 | 0.29 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.3 | 0.33 | -43% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.20 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Houghton Regis West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Houghton Regis West recorded 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 39.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Houghton Regis West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Houghton Regis West recorded 239 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Houghton Regis West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Houghton Regis West recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Houghton Regis West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Houghton Regis West recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Houghton Regis West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Houghton Regis West recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Houghton Regis West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Houghton Regis West recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Houghton Regis West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Houghton Regis West recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 68% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Houghton Regis West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Houghton Regis West recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Houghton Regis West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Houghton Regis West recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Houghton Regis West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Houghton Regis West recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 89% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Houghton Regis West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Houghton Regis West recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Houghton Regis West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Houghton Regis West recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Houghton Regis West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Houghton Regis West recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Houghton Regis West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Houghton Regis 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 down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Houghton Regis West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Houghton Regis West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Houghton Regis West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Regis East | 1,125 | 90.1 | -4% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | -35% |
| Dunstable East | 1,065 | 93.8 | +0% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +15% |
| Dunstable South | 302 | 51.9 | -45% |
| Dunstable West | 364 | 43.7 | -53% |
| Toddington | 797 | 81.0 | -13% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -54% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Houghton Road | 99 |
| On or near Morpeth Crescent | 80 |
| On or near Harebell Gardens | 58 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 54 |
| On or near Thorn Road | 43 |
| On or near Coopers Way | 42 |
| On or near Bedford Road | 40 |
| On or near Parking Area | 37 |
| On or near Plaiters Way | 30 |
| On or near Roman Gardens | 30 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Houghton Regis 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 424 | 36.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 292 | 25.2% |
| Not recorded | 239 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 82 | 7.1% |
| Local resolution | 23 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 23 | 2.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 21 | 1.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 1.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 16 | 1.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Houghton Regis West has an estimated population of 12,411. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Houghton Regis West sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Houghton Regis West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 25.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.0% |
| Social rented homes | 20.0% |
| Private rented homes | 13.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
Is Houghton Regis West a safe place to live?
Houghton Regis West recorded 93.5 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 West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (239).
Is crime in Houghton Regis West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis West was up 2% on the year before: 1,161 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,140 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Houghton Regis West?
Houghton Regis 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 Houghton Regis West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.