Crime in Milton Keynes: statistics, rates and trends

21,559 crimes were recorded in Milton Keynes in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 8,110 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Milton Keynes has the 263rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Milton Keynes was highest in the year to July 2023 (21,734 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (17,659). Over the whole period it rose 22%, 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 Milton Keynes 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, other theft, vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in burglary (+16%) and other crime (+11%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-24%) and bicycle theft (-11%).

Violence and sexual offences in Milton Keynes

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Milton Keynes recorded 8,110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 37.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Milton Keynes

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Milton Keynes recorded 2,598 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 4% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Milton Keynes

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Milton Keynes recorded 2,161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Milton Keynes

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Milton Keynes recorded 1,613 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Milton Keynes

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Milton Keynes recorded 1,598 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Milton Keynes

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Milton Keynes recorded 1,502 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Milton Keynes

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Milton Keynes recorded 1,457 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 9% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Milton Keynes

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Milton Keynes recorded 692 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Milton Keynes

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Milton Keynes recorded 652 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Milton Keynes

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Milton Keynes recorded 382 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Milton Keynes

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Milton Keynes recorded 254 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 down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Milton Keynes

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Milton Keynes recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Milton Keynes

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Milton Keynes recorded 185 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 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Milton Keynes

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Milton Keynes recorded 137 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Milton Keynes, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central Milton Keynes had the highest rate (320.9 per 1,000) and Tattenhoe the lowest (49.1). 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 Milton Keynes over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Milton Keynes 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.

Milton Keynes has an estimated population of 196,444. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Milton Keynes sits in decile 5.9, 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 Milton Keynes. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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