Crime in Bedford: statistics, rates and trends

12,537 crimes were recorded in Bedford in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,344 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bedford has the 169th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bedford was highest in the year to July 2019 (14,092 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (11,310). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bedford 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 shoplifting, public order, vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+65%) and possession of weapons (+27%). The largest falls were in burglary (-22%) and other crime (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bedford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bedford recorded 4,344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 34.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bedford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bedford recorded 1,886 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 15.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bedford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bedford recorded 1,356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bedford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bedford recorded 852 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bedford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bedford recorded 786 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bedford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bedford recorded 757 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bedford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bedford recorded 757 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bedford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bedford recorded 501 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bedford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bedford recorded 376 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bedford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bedford recorded 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bedford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bedford recorded 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 65% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bedford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bedford recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bedford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bedford recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bedford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bedford recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Bedford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bedford.

12 areas within Bedford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Greyfriars had the highest rate (418.8 per 1,000) and Putnoe the lowest (47.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Bedford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bedford 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.

Bedford has an estimated population of 102,530. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bedford sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Bedford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.