Crime in Leighton Buzzard: statistics, rates and trends

2,839 crimes were recorded in Leighton Buzzard in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 953 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Leighton Buzzard has the 907th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Leighton Buzzard was highest in the year to July 2020 (3,478 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,839). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 Leighton Buzzard 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 shoplifting (+60%) and drugs (+38%).

The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-48%) and anti-social behaviour (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in Leighton Buzzard

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leighton Buzzard recorded 953 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Leighton Buzzard

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leighton Buzzard recorded 463 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 16.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Leighton Buzzard

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leighton Buzzard recorded 317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Leighton Buzzard

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leighton Buzzard recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Leighton Buzzard

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leighton Buzzard recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Leighton Buzzard

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leighton Buzzard recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Leighton Buzzard

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leighton Buzzard recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Leighton Buzzard

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leighton Buzzard recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Leighton Buzzard

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leighton Buzzard recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Leighton Buzzard

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leighton Buzzard recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Leighton Buzzard

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leighton Buzzard recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Leighton Buzzard

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leighton Buzzard recorded 21 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 down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Leighton Buzzard

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leighton Buzzard recorded 15 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 48% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Leighton Buzzard

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leighton Buzzard recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

3 areas within Leighton Buzzard, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Leighton-Linslade South had the highest rate (88.9 per 1,000) and Leighton-Linslade North the lowest (46.9). 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 Leighton Buzzard over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leighton Buzzard 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.

Leighton Buzzard has an estimated population of 45,034. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leighton Buzzard sits in decile 7.8, less deprived than average. 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 Leighton Buzzard. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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