Crime in Houghton Regis: statistics, rates and trends
2,286 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Houghton Regis at a glance
- Crime trends in Houghton Regis
- Types of crime in Houghton Regis
- Houghton Regis compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Houghton Regis
- Streets with the most crime in Houghton Regis
- What happened after crimes were reported in Houghton Regis
- Population and deprivation in Houghton Regis
- Questions about crime in Houghton Regis
- About this data
2,286 crimes were recorded in Houghton Regis in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 870 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Houghton Regis has the 457th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Houghton Regis | Central Bedfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,286 | 19,207 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 91.8 | 60.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 24,900 | 315,877 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,533 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,809). 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 2,286 | 91.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,113 | 84.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,341 | 94.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,041 | 82.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,966 | 79.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,809 | 72.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,813 | 72.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,440 | 98.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,533 | 101.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 261 |
| June 2026 | 209 |
| May 2026 | 229 |
| April 2026 | 207 |
| March 2026 | 164 |
| February 2026 | 157 |
| January 2026 | 166 |
| December 2025 | 145 |
| November 2025 | 173 |
| October 2025 | 204 |
| September 2025 | 168 |
| August 2025 | 203 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Houghton Regis 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 anti-social behaviour, other crime.
The largest increases were in other crime (+50%) and drugs (+41%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-86%) and burglary (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 870 | 34.9 | 1.02 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 524 | 21.0 | 1.37 | +26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 186 | 7.5 | 1.10 | +29% |
| Public order | 146 | 5.9 | 0.88 | +26% |
| Vehicle crime | 140 | 5.6 | 1.14 | +23% |
| Other theft | 124 | 5.0 | 0.78 | -5% |
| Other crime | 78 | 3.1 | 1.48 | +50% |
| Drugs | 69 | 2.8 | 0.85 | +41% |
| Burglary | 63 | 2.5 | 0.72 | -22% |
| Robbery | 32 | 1.3 | 0.95 | +220% |
| Shoplifting | 26 | 1.0 | 0.13 | -86% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.4 | 0.49 | +25% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 0.4 | 0.37 | -40% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.4 | 0.21 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Houghton Regis
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Houghton Regis recorded 870 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 38.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Houghton Regis
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Houghton Regis recorded 524 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 22.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Houghton Regis
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Houghton Regis recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Houghton Regis
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Houghton Regis recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Houghton Regis
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Houghton Regis recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Houghton Regis
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Houghton Regis recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Houghton Regis
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Houghton Regis recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Houghton Regis
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Houghton Regis recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Houghton Regis
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Houghton Regis recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Houghton Regis
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Houghton Regis recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 220% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Houghton Regis
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Houghton Regis recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 86% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Houghton Regis
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Houghton Regis recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Houghton Regis
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Houghton Regis recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Houghton Regis
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Houghton Regis recorded 9 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Houghton Regis, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Houghton Regis.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Houghton Regis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunstable | 2,578 | 72.0 | -22% |
| Luton | 22,820 | 91.7 | -0% |
| Barton-le-Clay | 188 | 37.4 | -59% |
| Leighton Buzzard | 2,839 | 63.0 | -31% |
| Flitwick | 547 | 47.9 | -48% |
| Ampthill | 346 | 37.3 | -59% |
| Harpenden | 1,123 | 38.9 | -58% |
| Tring | 737 | 56.5 | -38% |
2 areas within Houghton Regis, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Houghton Regis West had the highest rate (93.5 per 1,000) and Houghton Regis East the lowest (90.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Regis West | Neighbourhood | 12,411 | 1,161 | 93.5 |
| Houghton Regis East | Neighbourhood | 12,489 | 1,125 | 90.1 |
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 Houghton Regis over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 157 |
| On or near Houghton Road | 99 |
| On or near Houghton Park Road | 86 |
| On or near Morpeth Crescent | 80 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 77 |
| On or near Yew Street | 75 |
| On or near Harebell Gardens | 58 |
| On or near Thornhill Close | 45 |
| On or near Trident Drive | 44 |
| On or near Thorn Road | 43 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Houghton Regis 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 778 | 34.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 569 | 24.9% |
| Not recorded | 524 | 22.9% |
| Under investigation | 162 | 7.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 50 | 2.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 48 | 2.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 45 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 38 | 1.7% |
| Local resolution | 37 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 11 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.4% |
Houghton Regis has an estimated population of 24,900. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Houghton Regis sits in decile 4.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Houghton Regis |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.7% |
| Social rented homes | 23.6% |
| Private rented homes | 14.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.5 |
Is Houghton Regis a safe place to live?
Houghton Regis recorded 91.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Houghton Regis?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 870 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (524).
Is crime in Houghton Regis going up or down?
Recorded crime in Houghton Regis was up 8% on the year before: 2,286 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,113 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Houghton Regis?
Houghton Regis 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 Houghton Regis. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.