Crime in Shortstown, Bedford: statistics, rates and trends
525 crimes were recorded in Shortstown, Bedford in the 12 months to August 2026, 70.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Shortstown, Bedford at a glance
- Crime trends in Shortstown, Bedford
- Types of crime in Shortstown, Bedford
- Shortstown, Bedford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Shortstown, Bedford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shortstown, Bedford
- Demographics of Shortstown, Bedford
- Questions about crime in Shortstown, Bedford
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (207), anti-social behaviour (86) and shoplifting (56) made up 66% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,195th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Shortstown, Bedford | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 525 | 18,621 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 70.8 | 95.5 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 7,417 | 194,976 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Shortstown, Bedford peaked in the year to August 2025 (572 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2023 (325). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 33%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 525 | 70.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 572 | 77.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 529 | 71.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 325 | 43.8 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 358 | 48.3 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 358 | 48.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 353 | 47.6 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 358 | 48.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 394 | 53.1 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 37 |
| July 2026 | 38 |
| June 2026 | 52 |
| May 2026 | 55 |
| April 2026 | 38 |
| March 2026 | 51 |
| February 2026 | 26 |
| January 2026 | 51 |
| December 2025 | 53 |
| November 2025 | 36 |
| October 2025 | 47 |
| September 2025 | 41 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and criminal damage and arson (60% below) and public order (51% below) were well below it. On the year before, violence and sexual offences rose from 178 to 207, while criminal damage and arson fell from 33 to 20 and shoplifting fell from 86 to 56.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 207 | 27.9 | 34.2 | +16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 86 | 11.6 | 15.4 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 56 | 7.6 | 8.5 | -35% |
| Other theft | 35 | 4.7 | 6.4 | -8% |
| Burglary | 25 | 3.4 | 3.6 | +9% |
| Public order | 24 | 3.2 | 6.7 | -23% |
| Vehicle crime | 23 | 3.1 | 5.0 | -32% |
| Drugs | 22 | 3.0 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Criminal damage and arson | 20 | 2.7 | 6.7 | -39% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.9 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Shortstown, Bedford; the highest is Greyfriars, Bedford (433.6 per 1,000) and the lowest Wixams & Wilstead (68.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shortstown, Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsbrook | 1,889 | 170.4 | +141% |
| Cauldwell | 1,806 | 145.5 | +106% |
| Riverfield | 285 | 71.4 | +1% |
| Wixams & Wilstead | 1,055 | 68.3 | -3% |
| Castle & Newnham | 1,499 | 173.6 | +145% |
| Kempston South | 364 | 88.4 | +25% |
| Greyfriars | 1,963 | 433.6 | +513% |
| Kempston Central & East | 1,238 | 124.2 | +75% |
The 10 locations below account for 43% of the crime recorded in Shortstown, Bedford over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Horace Close” (63).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Horace Close | 63 |
| On or near Megginson Way | 26 |
| On or near Cambridge Road | 22 |
| On or near Garland Court | 21 |
| On or near Banks Close | 20 |
| On or near Howard Close | 19 |
| On or near De Havilland Avenue | 17 |
| On or near Flintham | 13 |
| On or near Blackburn Close | 12 |
| On or near Edwards Close | 12 |
Of the 439 crimes in Shortstown, Bedford with a recorded outcome, 31% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 86 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 169 | 38.5% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 134 | 30.5% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 53 | 12.1% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 22 | 5.0% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 14 | 3.2% | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 2.1% | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 0.9% | 3.1% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 4 | 0.9% | 0.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
Shortstown, Bedford has an estimated population of 7,417 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (9.3%, against 23.3%), a younger population (8.0%, against 18.9%) and fewer retired residents (11%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Shortstown, Bedford average decile 5.8 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Shortstown, Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 25.1% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8.0% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 72.6% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 11.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.8% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 34.6% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.9% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 9.3% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.1% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 18.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 12.6% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Shortstown, Bedford a safe place to live?
Shortstown, Bedford recorded 70.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,195th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Shortstown, Bedford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 207 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (86).
Is crime in Shortstown, Bedford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shortstown, Bedford was down 8% on the year before: 525 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 572 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Shortstown, Bedford?
About 7,417 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 8.0% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Shortstown, Bedford?
Shortstown, Bedford 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.