Crime in South Lake: statistics, rates and trends
598 crimes were recorded in South Lake in the 12 months to July 2026, 53.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Lake at a glance
- Crime trends in South Lake
- Types of crime in South Lake
- South Lake compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Lake
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Lake
- Population and deprivation in South Lake
- Questions about crime in South Lake
- About this data
598 crimes were recorded in South Lake in the 12 months to July 2026, 53.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 234 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Lake has the 2,869th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Lake | Wokingham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 598 | 8,392 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 53.7 | 44.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 11,144 | 187,200 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Lake was highest in the year to July 2023 (614 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (465). Over the whole period it rose 29%, 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 | 598 | 53.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 588 | 52.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 541 | 48.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 614 | 55.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 568 | 51.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 513 | 46.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 503 | 45.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 467 | 41.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 465 | 41.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 73 |
| June 2026 | 57 |
| May 2026 | 62 |
| April 2026 | 45 |
| March 2026 | 44 |
| February 2026 | 27 |
| January 2026 | 36 |
| December 2025 | 34 |
| November 2025 | 51 |
| October 2025 | 45 |
| September 2025 | 53 |
| August 2025 | 71 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Lake 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 anti-social behaviour (+22%) and criminal damage and arson (+18%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 234 | 21.0 | 0.61 | +11% |
| Shoplifting | 79 | 7.1 | 0.86 | -32% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 67 | 6.0 | 0.39 | +22% |
| Public order | 59 | 5.3 | 0.80 | +16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 46 | 4.1 | 0.61 | +18% |
| Other theft | 32 | 2.9 | 0.45 | +0% |
| Drugs | 23 | 2.1 | 0.63 | +109% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.3 | 0.38 | -12% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.3 | 0.27 | +7% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.2 | 0.55 | +18% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.5 | 0.65 | -14% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.4 | 0.33 | -62% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.3 | 0.28 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -88% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Lake
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Lake recorded 234 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 39.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Lake
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Lake recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Lake
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Lake recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Lake
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Lake recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Lake
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Lake recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Lake
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Lake recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Lake
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Lake recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 109% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Lake
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Lake recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Lake
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Lake recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Lake
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Lake recorded 13 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 up 18% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Lake
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Lake recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Lake
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Lake recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Lake
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Lake recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Lake
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Lake recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 88% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Lake, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Lake.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates | 506 | 52.1 | -3% |
| Bulmershe & Coronation | 403 | 45.7 | -15% |
| Loddon | 257 | 26.7 | -50% |
| Hawkedon | 541 | 50.6 | -6% |
| Hillside | 642 | 51.5 | -4% |
| Winnersh | 546 | 47.5 | -11% |
| Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst | 519 | 50.0 | -7% |
| Shinfield | 538 | 50.8 | -5% |
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 Lake over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 122 |
| On or near Parking Area | 48 |
| On or near Beaufield Close | 38 |
| On or near Drovers Way | 29 |
| On or near Martin Close | 26 |
| On or near Hearn Road | 25 |
| On or near Keats Close | 16 |
| On or near Knowle Road | 15 |
| On or near The Close | 15 |
| On or near Players Green | 14 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Lake 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 | 173 | 28.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 171 | 28.6% |
| Under investigation | 85 | 14.2% |
| Not recorded | 67 | 11.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 31 | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 24 | 4.0% |
| Local resolution | 18 | 3.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 13 | 2.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 1.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 1 | 0.2% |
South Lake has an estimated population of 11,144. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Lake sits in decile 8.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Lake |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.9% |
| Social rented homes | 10.8% |
| Private rented homes | 12.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.4 |
Is South Lake a safe place to live?
South Lake recorded 53.7 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 South Lake?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 234 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (79).
Is crime in South Lake going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Lake was up 2% on the year before: 598 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 588 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Lake?
South Lake is policed by Thames Valley. 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 Lake. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.