Crime in Dunstable: statistics, rates and trends

2,578 crimes were recorded in Dunstable in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 894 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dunstable has the 748th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Dunstable was highest in the year to July 2018 (4,704 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,578). Over the whole period it fell 45%, 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 Dunstable 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 vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+47%) and vehicle crime (+39%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-42%) and public order (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Dunstable

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dunstable recorded 894 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 34.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Dunstable

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dunstable recorded 433 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 16.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Dunstable

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dunstable recorded 230 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Dunstable

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dunstable recorded 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Dunstable

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dunstable recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Dunstable

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dunstable recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Dunstable

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dunstable recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Dunstable

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dunstable recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Dunstable

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dunstable recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Dunstable

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dunstable recorded 60 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 down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Dunstable

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dunstable recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Dunstable

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dunstable recorded 25 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 up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Dunstable

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dunstable recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Dunstable

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dunstable recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Dunstable, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Dunstable Central had the highest rate (107.6 per 1,000) and Dunstable West the lowest (43.7). 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 Dunstable over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dunstable 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.

Dunstable has an estimated population of 35,799. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dunstable sits in decile 6.3, 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 Dunstable. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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