Crime in Shortstown, Bedford: statistics, rates and trends

545 crimes were recorded in Shortstown, Bedford in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 216 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Shortstown, Bedford has the 2,086th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Shortstown, Bedford was highest in the year to July 2025 (563 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (316). Over the whole period it rose 39%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shortstown, Bedford 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 vehicle crime (+27%) and violence and sexual offences (+26%).

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-32%) and public order (-28%).

Violence and sexual offences in Shortstown, Bedford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 39.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Shortstown, Bedford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Shortstown, Bedford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Shortstown, Bedford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Shortstown, Bedford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Shortstown, Bedford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Shortstown, Bedford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Shortstown, Bedford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 71% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Shortstown, Bedford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Shortstown, Bedford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Shortstown, Bedford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Shortstown, Bedford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Shortstown, Bedford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Shortstown, Bedford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shortstown, Bedford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 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 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Shortstown, Bedford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shortstown, Bedford.

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 Shortstown, Bedford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shortstown, Bedford 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.

Shortstown, Bedford has an estimated population of 7,417. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shortstown, Bedford sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Shortstown, Bedford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.