Crime in Thames, Reading: statistics, rates and trends
1,297 crimes were recorded in Thames, Reading in the 12 months to July 2026, 156.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Thames, Reading at a glance
- Crime trends in Thames, Reading
- Types of crime in Thames, Reading
- Thames, Reading compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Thames, Reading
- What happened after crimes were reported in Thames, Reading
- Population and deprivation in Thames, Reading
- Questions about crime in Thames, Reading
- About this data
1,297 crimes were recorded in Thames, Reading in the 12 months to July 2026, 156.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 464 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Thames, Reading has the 387th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Thames, Reading | Reading | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,297 | 20,512 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 156.5 | 112.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +20% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 8,288 | 182,907 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Thames, Reading was highest in the year to July 2023 (1,316 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (924). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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 | 1,297 | 156.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,079 | 130.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,195 | 144.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,316 | 158.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,195 | 144.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 924 | 111.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 996 | 120.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,025 | 123.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,285 | 155.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 99 |
| June 2026 | 113 |
| May 2026 | 118 |
| April 2026 | 102 |
| March 2026 | 82 |
| February 2026 | 83 |
| January 2026 | 81 |
| December 2025 | 96 |
| November 2025 | 90 |
| October 2025 | 104 |
| September 2025 | 110 |
| August 2025 | 219 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Thames, Reading 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 violence and sexual offences, other theft, public order.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+172%) and theft from the person (+50%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-12%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 464 | 56.0 | 1.64 | +31% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 155 | 18.7 | 1.22 | +6% |
| Other theft | 142 | 17.1 | 2.68 | +8% |
| Public order | 97 | 11.7 | 1.76 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 88 | 10.6 | 1.57 | +22% |
| Vehicle crime | 87 | 10.5 | 2.13 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 68 | 8.2 | 0.99 | +172% |
| Bicycle theft | 46 | 5.6 | 6.74 | -12% |
| Burglary | 44 | 5.3 | 1.50 | -4% |
| Drugs | 37 | 4.5 | 1.37 | -3% |
| Theft from the person | 30 | 3.6 | 2.14 | +50% |
| Robbery | 19 | 2.3 | 1.70 | +73% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.7 | 0.80 | +27% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.7 | 0.75 | -54% |
Violence and sexual offences in Thames, Reading
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Thames, Reading recorded 464 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 35.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Thames, Reading
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Thames, Reading recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Thames, Reading
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Thames, Reading recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Thames, Reading
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Thames, Reading recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Thames, Reading
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Thames, Reading recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Thames, Reading
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Thames, Reading recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Thames, Reading
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Thames, Reading recorded 68 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 up 172% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Thames, Reading
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Thames, Reading recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Thames, Reading
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Thames, Reading recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Thames, Reading
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Thames, Reading recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Thames, Reading
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Thames, Reading recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Thames, Reading
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Thames, Reading recorded 19 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 73% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Thames, Reading
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Thames, Reading recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Thames, Reading
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Thames, Reading recorded 6 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 down 54% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Thames, Reading, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Thames, Reading.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Thames, Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey | 4,527 | 431.4 | +176% |
| Caversham | 1,053 | 77.4 | -51% |
| Katesgrove | 1,129 | 87.8 | -44% |
| Redlands | 1,397 | 87.4 | -44% |
| Park | 1,282 | 105.5 | -33% |
| Coley | 1,360 | 117.2 | -25% |
| Battle | 1,238 | 105.0 | -33% |
| Caversham Heights | 276 | 29.2 | -81% |
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 Thames, Reading over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Kenavon Drive | 124 |
| On or near Richfield Avenue | 103 |
| On or near Supermarket | 92 |
| On or near Tessa Road | 70 |
| On or near Thames Avenue | 54 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 46 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 44 |
| On or near Anglers Way | 37 |
| On or near Kennet Street | 33 |
| On or near Lock Place | 33 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Thames, Reading 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 | 529 | 40.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 314 | 24.2% |
| Not recorded | 155 | 12.0% |
| Under investigation | 132 | 10.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 54 | 4.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 38 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 34 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 15 | 1.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.5% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.1% |
Thames, Reading has an estimated population of 8,288. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Thames, Reading sits in decile 6.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Thames, Reading |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 75.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 7.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 36.7% |
| Social rented homes | 15.9% |
| Private rented homes | 47.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.2 |
Is Thames, Reading a safe place to live?
Thames, Reading recorded 156.5 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 Thames, Reading?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 464 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (155).
Is crime in Thames, Reading going up or down?
Recorded crime in Thames, Reading was up 20% on the year before: 1,297 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,079 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Thames, Reading?
Thames, Reading 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 Thames, Reading. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.