Crime in Wootton (Bedford): statistics, rates and trends
290 crimes were recorded in Wootton (Bedford) in the 12 months to July 2026, 34.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wootton (Bedford) at a glance
- Crime trends in Wootton (Bedford)
- Types of crime in Wootton (Bedford)
- Wootton (Bedford) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Wootton (Bedford)
- Streets with the most crime in Wootton (Bedford)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wootton (Bedford)
- Population and deprivation in Wootton (Bedford)
- Questions about crime in Wootton (Bedford)
- About this data
290 crimes were recorded in Wootton (Bedford) in the 12 months to July 2026, 34.7 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 127 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wootton (Bedford) has the 1,370th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wootton (Bedford) | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 290 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 34.7 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 8,350 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wootton (Bedford) was highest in the year to July 2022 (420 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (282). Over the whole period it rose 3%, 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 | 290 | 34.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 299 | 35.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 309 | 37.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 319 | 38.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 420 | 50.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 349 | 41.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 358 | 42.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 317 | 38.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 282 | 33.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 26 |
| June 2026 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 38 |
| April 2026 | 34 |
| March 2026 | 28 |
| February 2026 | 13 |
| January 2026 | 26 |
| December 2025 | 21 |
| November 2025 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 20 |
| September 2025 | 21 |
| August 2025 | 18 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wootton (Bedford) 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 falls were in vehicle crime (-65%) and criminal damage and arson (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 127 | 15.2 | 0.44 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 64 | 7.7 | 0.50 | -9% |
| Public order | 22 | 2.6 | 0.40 | -12% |
| Other theft | 21 | 2.5 | 0.39 | +91% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 20 | 2.4 | 0.35 | -13% |
| Vehicle crime | 8 | 1.0 | 0.19 | -65% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.8 | 0.40 | +0% |
| Shoplifting | 7 | 0.8 | 0.10 | +75% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.6 | 0.62 | +67% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.4 | 0.44 | -25% |
| Burglary | 3 | 0.4 | 0.10 | -67% |
| Drugs | 2 | 0.2 | 0.07 | -50% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Wootton (Bedford)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 43.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wootton (Bedford)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 22.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wootton (Bedford)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wootton (Bedford)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wootton (Bedford)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wootton (Bedford)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 65% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wootton (Bedford)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wootton (Bedford)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wootton (Bedford)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wootton (Bedford)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 3 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 down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wootton (Bedford)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wootton (Bedford)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wootton (Bedford)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wootton (Bedford) recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Wootton (Bedford), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wootton (Bedford).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wootton (Bedford) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston | 1,993 | 93.5 | +169% |
| Marston Moretaine | 295 | 52.3 | +51% |
| Wixams | 567 | 67.4 | +94% |
| Cranfield | 359 | 41.1 | +18% |
| Bedford | 12,537 | 122.3 | +252% |
| Shortstown | 418 | 70.9 | +104% |
| Ampthill | 346 | 37.3 | +7% |
| Flitwick | 547 | 47.9 | +38% |
1 areas within Wootton (Bedford), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wootton & Kempston Rural had the highest rate (32.7 per 1,000) and Wootton & Kempston Rural the lowest (32.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wootton & Kempston Rural | Neighbourhood | 9,980 | 326 | 32.7 |
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 Wootton (Bedford) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Folkes Road | 14 |
| On or near Duncombe Drive | 12 |
| On or near Fields Road | 11 |
| On or near Cause End Road | 10 |
| On or near Johnson Avenue | 9 |
| On or near Manor Road | 9 |
| On or near Old School Gardens | 9 |
| On or near Tithe Barn Road | 8 |
| On or near Turland Close | 7 |
| On or near Burraway Grove | 6 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wootton (Bedford) 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 | 95 | 32.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 66 | 22.8% |
| Not recorded | 64 | 22.1% |
| Under investigation | 27 | 9.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 2.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.7% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Wootton (Bedford) has an estimated population of 8,350. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wootton (Bedford) sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wootton (Bedford) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 78.6% |
| Social rented homes | 15.6% |
| Private rented homes | 5.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.3 |
Is Wootton (Bedford) a safe place to live?
Wootton (Bedford) recorded 34.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than 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 Wootton (Bedford)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (64).
Is crime in Wootton (Bedford) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wootton (Bedford) was down 3% on the year before: 290 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 299 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wootton (Bedford)?
Wootton (Bedford) 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 Wootton (Bedford). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.