Crime in Leighton-Linslade West: statistics, rates and trends
697 crimes were recorded in Leighton-Linslade West in the 12 months to July 2026, 52.3 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 Leighton-Linslade West at a glance
- Crime trends in Leighton-Linslade West
- Types of crime in Leighton-Linslade West
- Leighton-Linslade West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Leighton-Linslade West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Leighton-Linslade West
- Population and deprivation in Leighton-Linslade West
- Questions about crime in Leighton-Linslade West
- About this data
697 crimes were recorded in Leighton-Linslade West in the 12 months to July 2026, 52.3 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 241 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Leighton-Linslade West has the 2,931st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Leighton-Linslade West | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 697 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 52.3 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 13,329 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Leighton-Linslade West was highest in the year to July 2019 (822 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (697). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 697 | 52.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 728 | 54.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 734 | 55.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 817 | 61.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 741 | 55.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 761 | 57.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 820 | 61.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 822 | 61.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 704 | 52.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 84 |
| June 2026 | 53 |
| May 2026 | 57 |
| April 2026 | 47 |
| March 2026 | 64 |
| February 2026 | 58 |
| January 2026 | 54 |
| December 2025 | 59 |
| November 2025 | 54 |
| October 2025 | 64 |
| September 2025 | 55 |
| August 2025 | 48 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Leighton-Linslade 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. The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+62%) and shoplifting (+61%).
The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-34%) and other theft (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 241 | 18.1 | 0.53 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 118 | 8.9 | 0.58 | -34% |
| Shoplifting | 71 | 5.3 | 0.64 | +61% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 63 | 4.7 | 0.70 | +62% |
| Vehicle crime | 46 | 3.5 | 0.70 | -15% |
| Public order | 43 | 3.2 | 0.49 | +2% |
| Other theft | 30 | 2.3 | 0.35 | -23% |
| Other crime | 28 | 2.1 | 0.99 | +155% |
| Burglary | 21 | 1.6 | 0.45 | -12% |
| Drugs | 14 | 1.1 | 0.32 | +367% |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.9 | 0.67 | -8% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.4 | 0.39 | +25% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 0.13 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.18 | -71% |
Violence and sexual offences in Leighton-Linslade West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 34.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Leighton-Linslade West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 16.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Leighton-Linslade West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Leighton-Linslade West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Leighton-Linslade West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Leighton-Linslade West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Leighton-Linslade West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Leighton-Linslade West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 155% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Leighton-Linslade West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 21 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 12% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Leighton-Linslade West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 367% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Leighton-Linslade West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leighton-Linslade West recorded 12 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 down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Leighton-Linslade West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leighton-Linslade West 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 up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Leighton-Linslade West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leighton-Linslade West 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Leighton-Linslade West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leighton-Linslade 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 71% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Leighton-Linslade West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Leighton-Linslade West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Leighton-Linslade West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leighton-Linslade North | 783 | 46.9 | -10% |
| Leighton-Linslade South | 1,452 | 88.9 | +70% |
| Heath & Reach | 317 | 71.1 | +36% |
| Eaton Bray | 165 | 43.1 | -18% |
| Dunstable North | 595 | 60.7 | +16% |
| Aspley & Woburn | 223 | 43.3 | -17% |
| Houghton Regis West | 1,161 | 93.5 | +79% |
| Dunstable Central | 840 | 107.6 | +106% |
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 Leighton-Linslade West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 62 |
| On or near Vimy Road | 61 |
| On or near Mentmore Road | 43 |
| On or near Town Bridge Mill | 43 |
| On or near Water Lane | 40 |
| On or near The Wharf | 23 |
| On or near Parking Area | 22 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 21 |
| On or near Wyngates | 19 |
| On or near Finch Crescent | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leighton-Linslade 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 250 | 35.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 230 | 33.0% |
| Not recorded | 118 | 16.9% |
| Under investigation | 35 | 5.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 26 | 3.7% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 1.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 1.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 4 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
Leighton-Linslade West has an estimated population of 13,329. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leighton-Linslade West sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Leighton-Linslade West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.9% |
| Social rented homes | 9.4% |
| Private rented homes | 17.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Leighton-Linslade West a safe place to live?
Leighton-Linslade West recorded 52.3 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 Leighton-Linslade West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (118).
Is crime in Leighton-Linslade West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Leighton-Linslade West was down 4% on the year before: 697 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 728 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Leighton-Linslade West?
Leighton-Linslade 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 Leighton-Linslade West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.