Crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
400 crimes were recorded in Potton, Central Bedfordshire in the 12 months to August 2026, 46.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- Questions about crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (154), anti-social behaviour (74) and criminal damage and arson (35) made up 66% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,153rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Potton, Central Bedfordshire | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 400 | 19,387 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 46.8 | 61.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 8,552 | 315,877 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire of any year here (400 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 17%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 400 | 46.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 452 | 52.9 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 461 | 53.9 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 436 | 51.0 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 472 | 55.2 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 543 | 63.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 551 | 64.4 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 512 | 59.9 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 482 | 56.4 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 35 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and other theft (58% below) and violence and sexual offences (47% below) were well below it. On the year before, public order rose from 21 to 34, while other theft fell from 35 to 23.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 154 | 18.0 | 34.2 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 74 | 8.7 | 15.4 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 35 | 4.1 | 6.7 | -10% |
| Public order | 34 | 4.0 | 6.7 | +62% |
| Other theft | 23 | 2.7 | 6.4 | -34% |
| Drugs | 20 | 2.3 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.2 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.1 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 9 | 1.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 7 | 0.8 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Potton, Central Bedfordshire; the highest is Sandy, Central Bedfordshire (83.7 per 1,000) and the lowest Clifton, Henlow & Langford (45.1).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Potton, Central Bedfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade East | 457 | 50.9 | +9% |
| Biggleswade West | 1,116 | 77.6 | +66% |
| Sandy | 1,196 | 83.7 | +79% |
| Northill | 248 | 51.2 | +9% |
| Clifton, Henlow & Langford | 710 | 45.1 | -4% |
| Stotfold | 496 | 54.9 | +17% |
| Arlesey & Fairfield | 536 | 48.6 | +4% |
| Shefford | 695 | 65.8 | +41% |
The 10 locations below account for 38% of the crime recorded in Potton, Central Bedfordshire over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Potton Road” (29).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Potton Road | 29 |
| On or near High Street | 23 |
| On or near Bellevue Close | 18 |
| On or near The Paddocks | 18 |
| On or near Hatley Road | 16 |
| On or near Lewis Corner | 11 |
| On or near Newtown | 10 |
| On or near Darlow Farm | 9 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 9 |
| On or near Sandy Road | 9 |
Of the 326 crimes in Potton, Central Bedfordshire with a recorded outcome, 33% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.4% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 74 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 123 | 37.7% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 109 | 33.4% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 47 | 14.4% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 3.4% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 3.4% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.8% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.9% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.3% | 2.5% |
Potton, Central Bedfordshire has an estimated population of 8,552 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (7.5%, against 23.3%), fewer students (4.0%, against 7.9%) and less private renting (13%, against 20%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Potton, Central Bedfordshire average decile 6.4 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Potton, Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.1% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 62.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 24.2% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.0% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 33.6% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 14.2% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 7.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 12.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.5% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Potton, Central Bedfordshire a safe place to live?
Potton, Central Bedfordshire recorded 46.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,153rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 154 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (74).
Is crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Potton, Central Bedfordshire was down 12% on the year before: 400 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 452 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Potton, Central Bedfordshire?
About 8,552 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 21% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Potton, Central Bedfordshire?
Potton, Central Bedfordshire is policed by Bedfordshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.