Crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
398 crimes were recorded in Potton, Central Bedfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- Types of crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- Potton, Central Bedfordshire compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- Population and deprivation in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- Questions about crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- About this data
398 crimes were recorded in Potton, Central Bedfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 145 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Potton, Central Bedfordshire has the 3,166th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Potton, Central Bedfordshire | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 398 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 46.5 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 8,552 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire was highest in the year to July 2020 (550 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (398). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 | 398 | 46.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 450 | 52.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 462 | 54.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 447 | 52.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 466 | 54.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 544 | 63.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 550 | 64.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 522 | 61.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 481 | 56.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 25 |
| June 2026 | 39 |
| May 2026 | 48 |
| April 2026 | 33 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 24 |
| January 2026 | 34 |
| December 2025 | 31 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 38 |
| September 2025 | 38 |
| August 2025 | 33 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Potton, Central Bedfordshire 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 public order (+43%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-46%) and other theft (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 145 | 17.0 | 0.50 | -19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 78 | 9.1 | 0.59 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 4.2 | 0.62 | -3% |
| Public order | 33 | 3.9 | 0.58 | +43% |
| Drugs | 23 | 2.7 | 0.82 | +109% |
| Other theft | 23 | 2.7 | 0.42 | -36% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 2.3 | 0.47 | -46% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -28% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.2 | 0.55 | -29% |
| Shoplifting | 5 | 0.6 | 0.07 | +150% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.36 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.4 | 0.21 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 36.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 19.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 109% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 5 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 up 150% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 3 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Potton, Central Bedfordshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Potton, Central Bedfordshire.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Potton, Central Bedfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade East | 444 | 49.5 | +6% |
| Biggleswade West | 1,103 | 76.7 | +65% |
| Sandy | 1,209 | 84.6 | +82% |
| Northill | 233 | 48.1 | +3% |
| Clifton, Henlow & Langford | 699 | 44.4 | -5% |
| Stotfold | 493 | 54.5 | +17% |
| Arlesey & Fairfield | 533 | 48.3 | +4% |
| Shefford | 714 | 67.6 | +45% |
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 Potton, Central Bedfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 26 |
| On or near Potton Road | 23 |
| On or near Bellevue Close | 19 |
| On or near Hatley Road | 17 |
| On or near The Paddocks | 17 |
| On or near Newtown | 12 |
| On or near Lewis Corner | 11 |
| On or near Sandy Road | 9 |
| On or near Church Lane | 9 |
| On or near Darlow Farm | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Potton, Central Bedfordshire 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 | 118 | 29.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 114 | 28.6% |
| Not recorded | 78 | 19.6% |
| Under investigation | 43 | 10.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 2.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Potton, Central Bedfordshire has an estimated population of 8,552. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Potton, Central Bedfordshire sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Potton, Central Bedfordshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.3% |
| Social rented homes | 12.2% |
| Private rented homes | 13.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
Is Potton, Central Bedfordshire a safe place to live?
Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 46.5 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 Potton, Central Bedfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (78).
Is crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire was down 12% on the year before: 398 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 450 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Potton, Central Bedfordshire?
Potton, Central Bedfordshire 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 Potton, Central Bedfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.