Crime in South, Luton: statistics, rates and trends
1,872 crimes were recorded in South, Luton in the 12 months to July 2026, 148.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South, Luton at a glance
- Crime trends in South, Luton
- Types of crime in South, Luton
- South, Luton compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South, Luton
- What happened after crimes were reported in South, Luton
- Population and deprivation in South, Luton
- Questions about crime in South, Luton
- About this data
1,872 crimes were recorded in South, Luton in the 12 months to July 2026, 148.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher 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 486 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South, Luton has the 446th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South, Luton | Luton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,872 | 22,055 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 148.1 | 92.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 12,643 | 239,090 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South, Luton was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,246 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,814). Over the whole period it fell 42%, 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 | 1,872 | 148.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,934 | 153.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,937 | 153.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,950 | 154.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,814 | 143.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,820 | 144.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,020 | 238.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,003 | 237.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,246 | 256.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 192 |
| June 2026 | 197 |
| May 2026 | 174 |
| April 2026 | 169 |
| March 2026 | 124 |
| February 2026 | 129 |
| January 2026 | 136 |
| December 2025 | 133 |
| November 2025 | 150 |
| October 2025 | 169 |
| September 2025 | 149 |
| August 2025 | 150 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South, Luton 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in drugs (+35%) and other theft (+17%). The largest falls were in other crime (-31%) and public order (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 486 | 38.4 | 1.12 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 319 | 25.2 | 1.64 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 221 | 17.5 | 3.55 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 218 | 17.2 | 2.08 | -12% |
| Other theft | 155 | 12.3 | 1.92 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 114 | 9.0 | 1.33 | +7% |
| Drugs | 105 | 8.3 | 2.54 | +35% |
| Public order | 91 | 7.2 | 1.08 | -22% |
| Burglary | 60 | 4.7 | 1.34 | -10% |
| Robbery | 29 | 2.3 | 1.70 | +12% |
| Other crime | 25 | 2.0 | 0.94 | -31% |
| Possession of weapons | 21 | 1.7 | 1.71 | +31% |
| Theft from the person | 20 | 1.6 | 0.94 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.6 | 0.77 | -43% |
Violence and sexual offences in South, Luton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South, Luton recorded 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 26.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South, Luton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South, Luton recorded 319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 17.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South, Luton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South, Luton recorded 221 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South, Luton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South, Luton recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South, Luton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South, Luton recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South, Luton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South, Luton recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South, Luton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South, Luton recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South, Luton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South, Luton recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South, Luton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South, Luton recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South, Luton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South, Luton recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South, Luton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South, Luton recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South, Luton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South, Luton recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South, Luton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South, Luton recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South, Luton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South, Luton recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South, Luton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South, Luton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South, Luton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 3,712 | 449.6 | +204% |
| Farley | 2,010 | 116.5 | -21% |
| High Town | 1,354 | 108.6 | -27% |
| Round Green | 748 | 66.2 | -55% |
| Vauxhall | 463 | 58.3 | -61% |
| Dallow | 860 | 84.5 | -43% |
| Biscot | 701 | 61.6 | -58% |
| Beech Hill | 1,199 | 78.0 | -47% |
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 South, Luton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near B653 | 211 |
| On or near Parking Area | 156 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 107 |
| On or near Osborne Road | 88 |
| On or near Gipsy Lane | 85 |
| On or near Kingsland Road | 64 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 54 |
| On or near Bailey Street | 52 |
| On or near St Ann'S Road | 51 |
| On or near Windsor Street | 47 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South, Luton 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 | 754 | 40.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 473 | 25.3% |
| Not recorded | 319 | 17.0% |
| Under investigation | 111 | 5.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 82 | 4.4% |
| Local resolution | 46 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 33 | 1.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 30 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
South, Luton has an estimated population of 12,643. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South, Luton sits in decile 2.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South, Luton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 71.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 7.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 31.7% |
| Social rented homes | 22.8% |
| Private rented homes | 45.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 20.3% |
Is South, Luton a safe place to live?
South, Luton recorded 148.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 South, Luton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (319).
Is crime in South, Luton going up or down?
Recorded crime in South, Luton was down 3% on the year before: 1,872 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,934 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South, Luton?
South, Luton 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 South, Luton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.