Crime in Newbury: statistics, rates and trends
3,836 crimes were recorded in Newbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Newbury at a glance
- Crime trends in Newbury
- Types of crime in Newbury
- Newbury compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Newbury
- Streets with the most crime in Newbury
- What happened after crimes were reported in Newbury
- Population and deprivation in Newbury
- Questions about crime in Newbury
- About this data
3,836 crimes were recorded in Newbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,342 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Newbury has the 441st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Newbury | West Berkshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,836 | 10,809 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 92.9 | 65.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 41,309 | 165,112 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Newbury was highest in the year to July 2023 (4,010 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (2,999). Over the whole period it rose 17%, 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 | 3,836 | 92.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,876 | 93.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,751 | 90.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,010 | 97.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,904 | 94.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,194 | 77.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,999 | 72.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,484 | 84.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,272 | 79.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 393 |
| June 2026 | 321 |
| May 2026 | 357 |
| April 2026 | 292 |
| March 2026 | 315 |
| February 2026 | 246 |
| January 2026 | 282 |
| December 2025 | 322 |
| November 2025 | 308 |
| October 2025 | 300 |
| September 2025 | 321 |
| August 2025 | 379 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Newbury 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, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+36%) and burglary (+15%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-48%) and bicycle theft (-38%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,342 | 32.5 | 0.95 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 564 | 13.7 | 1.65 | +13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 470 | 11.4 | 0.74 | -1% |
| Public order | 320 | 7.7 | 1.17 | -16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 290 | 7.0 | 1.04 | +2% |
| Other theft | 223 | 5.4 | 0.84 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 171 | 4.1 | 0.84 | +36% |
| Drugs | 143 | 3.5 | 1.06 | -17% |
| Burglary | 118 | 2.9 | 0.81 | +15% |
| Other crime | 82 | 2.0 | 0.94 | +14% |
| Bicycle theft | 54 | 1.3 | 1.59 | -38% |
| Robbery | 34 | 0.8 | 0.61 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 0.3 | 0.32 | -35% |
| Theft from the person | 12 | 0.3 | 0.17 | -48% |
Violence and sexual offences in Newbury
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Newbury recorded 1,342 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 35.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Newbury
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Newbury recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Newbury
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Newbury recorded 470 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Newbury
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Newbury recorded 320 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Newbury
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Newbury recorded 290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Newbury
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Newbury recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Newbury
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Newbury recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Newbury
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Newbury recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Newbury
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Newbury recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Newbury
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Newbury recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Newbury
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Newbury recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Newbury
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Newbury recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Newbury
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Newbury recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Newbury
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Newbury recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Newbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Newbury.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Newbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thatcham | 1,695 | 66.4 | -28% |
| Tadley | 590 | 40.9 | -56% |
| Hungerford | 401 | 65.2 | -30% |
| Overton (Basingstoke and Deane) | 227 | 43.0 | -54% |
| Burghfield Common | 501 | 73.8 | -21% |
| Whitchurch (Basingstoke and Deane) | 251 | 40.2 | -57% |
| Oakley (Basingstoke and Deane) | 209 | 36.0 | -61% |
| Basingstoke | 10,495 | 86.8 | -7% |
5 areas within Newbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Newbury Central had the highest rate (188.1 per 1,000) and Newbury Wash Common the lowest (48.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Central | Neighbourhood | 6,433 | 1,210 | 188.1 |
| Newbury Clay Hill | Neighbourhood | 9,001 | 803 | 89.2 |
| Newbury Greenham | Neighbourhood | 12,878 | 1,118 | 86.8 |
| Newbury Speen | Neighbourhood | 10,041 | 746 | 74.3 |
| Newbury Wash Common | Neighbourhood | 9,709 | 468 | 48.2 |
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 Newbury over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 249 |
| On or near Supermarket | 228 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 128 |
| On or near Stirrup Close | 126 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 102 |
| On or near Northbrook Street | 98 |
| On or near Mabel Luke Place | 72 |
| On or near Jago Court | 69 |
| On or near Steel Close | 69 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 60 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Newbury 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,169 | 30.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,030 | 26.9% |
| Not recorded | 470 | 12.3% |
| Under investigation | 441 | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 211 | 5.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 188 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 165 | 4.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 63 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 35 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 27 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 24 | 0.6% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 8 | 0.2% |
Newbury has an estimated population of 41,309. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Newbury sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Newbury |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.9% |
| Social rented homes | 18.8% |
| Private rented homes | 21.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.1 |
Is Newbury a safe place to live?
Newbury recorded 92.9 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 Newbury?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,342 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (564).
Is crime in Newbury going up or down?
Recorded crime in Newbury was down 1% on the year before: 3,836 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,876 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Newbury?
Newbury is policed by Thames Valley. 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 Newbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.