Crime in Arlesey: statistics, rates and trends
366 crimes were recorded in Arlesey in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Arlesey at a glance
- Crime trends in Arlesey
- Types of crime in Arlesey
- Arlesey compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Arlesey
- Streets with the most crime in Arlesey
- What happened after crimes were reported in Arlesey
- Population and deprivation in Arlesey
- Questions about crime in Arlesey
- About this data
366 crimes were recorded in Arlesey in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 121 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Arlesey has the 1,012th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Arlesey | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 366 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 57.5 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 6,366 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Arlesey was highest in the year to July 2022 (386 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (284). Over the whole period it rose 11%, 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 | 366 | 57.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 362 | 56.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 337 | 52.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 302 | 47.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 386 | 60.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 284 | 44.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 368 | 57.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 367 | 57.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 330 | 51.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 38 |
| June 2026 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 28 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 28 |
| January 2026 | 28 |
| December 2025 | 26 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 32 |
| September 2025 | 32 |
| August 2025 | 34 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Arlesey 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 (+64%) and other theft (+40%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-35%) and violence and sexual offences (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 121 | 19.0 | 1.24 | +64% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 106 | 16.7 | 0.49 | -28% |
| Other theft | 28 | 4.4 | 0.69 | +40% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 25 | 3.9 | 0.58 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 3.8 | 0.77 | -35% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.7 | 0.76 | +21% |
| Drugs | 14 | 2.2 | 0.67 | +56% |
| Public order | 14 | 2.2 | 0.33 | -18% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.6 | 0.74 | -9% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 0.49 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.38 | -33% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 0.23 | +0% |
Anti-social behaviour in Arlesey
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Arlesey recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 33.1% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Arlesey
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Arlesey recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 29.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Arlesey
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Arlesey recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Arlesey
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Arlesey recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Arlesey
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Arlesey recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Arlesey
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Arlesey recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Arlesey
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Arlesey recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Arlesey
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Arlesey recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Arlesey
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Arlesey recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Arlesey
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Arlesey recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Arlesey
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Arlesey recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Arlesey
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Arlesey 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Arlesey, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Arlesey.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Arlesey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stotfold | 660 | 48.2 | -16% |
| Letchworth | 2,841 | 84.5 | +47% |
| Shefford | 607 | 72.2 | +26% |
| Baldock | 805 | 75.1 | +31% |
| Hitchin | 2,459 | 67.9 | +18% |
| Biggleswade | 1,547 | 66.2 | +15% |
| Barton-le-Clay | 188 | 37.4 | -35% |
| Stevenage | 10,799 | 113.7 | +98% |
1 areas within Arlesey, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Arlesey & Fairfield had the highest rate (48.3 per 1,000) and Arlesey & Fairfield the lowest (48.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlesey & Fairfield | Neighbourhood | 11,031 | 533 | 48.3 |
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 Arlesey over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Ramerick Gardens | 18 |
| On or near Chancellors | 16 |
| On or near Hitchin Road | 16 |
| On or near Prince Of Wales | 14 |
| On or near Carters Walk | 13 |
| On or near Hillary Rise | 13 |
| On or near Stotfold Road | 13 |
| On or near Everest Close | 11 |
| On or near The Chase | 11 |
| On or near West Drive | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Arlesey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 121 | 33.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 99 | 27.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 95 | 26.0% |
| Under investigation | 31 | 8.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 3.0% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.3% |
Arlesey has an estimated population of 6,366. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Arlesey sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Arlesey |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.9% |
| Social rented homes | 18.2% |
| Private rented homes | 13.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
Is Arlesey a safe place to live?
Arlesey recorded 57.5 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 Arlesey?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (106).
Is crime in Arlesey going up or down?
Recorded crime in Arlesey was up 1% on the year before: 366 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 362 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Arlesey?
Arlesey 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 Arlesey. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.