Bedford Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Bedford

Bedford, with a population of 194,976, reports an overall crime rate of 91.4 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure places Bedford slightly below the UK national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively stable crime environment. The area achieves a robust safety score of 79 out of 100, which is marginally higher than the UK average safety score of 78. This suggests that residents generally experience a good level of safety. Over the past year, crime trends in Bedford have remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 2.1%. This contextual overview provides a foundation for understanding the detailed crime data that follows.

About Bedford

Bedford is a diverse local authority district characterised by a blend of urban, suburban, and rural elements. The presence of significant transport hubs, including its railway station and proximity to major road networks, can contribute to a transient population and potentially influence crime statistics, particularly those related to theft and vehicle crime. As a commercial and residential centre, Bedford experiences typical urban challenges such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, which are often concentrated in more densely populated areas and retail zones. Economic factors, including employment rates and socio-economic disparities, can also play a role in the prevalence of certain crime types. Understanding these characteristics helps to explain why Bedford has its specific crime rate and safety score, reflecting the complexities of a vibrant and well-connected district.

Crime Breakdown in Bedford

An analysis of crime types in Bedford reveals that Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant category, accounting for 6,100 crimes, or 31.3 per 1,000 residents, and making up 34.2% of the total recorded offences. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most prevalent issue, with 2,702 incidents, equating to 13.9 per 1,000 people and 15.2% of all crimes. Shoplifting ranks as the third highest concern, with 1,793 crimes, or 9.2 per 1,000 residents, comprising 10.1% of the total.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Bedford records a rate of 33.2 per 1,000 people. This figure aligns precisely with the UK average property crime rate, suggesting that homeowners and residents face similar risks to those in other parts of the country. Specifically, vehicle crime saw 1,206 incidents, other theft 1,045, and burglary 633. For residents and homeowners, these statistics underscore the importance of securing personal property and vehicles, as these categories collectively represent a substantial portion of local crime concerns. Proactive measures against these prevalent property crimes are highly recommended.

Crime Trends in Bedford

Examining the crime trends in Bedford over the past year reveals a stable picture, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.1%. This indicates that the overall crime situation has remained largely consistent, without significant fluctuations. Looking at the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 residents, a degree of seasonality can be observed. The rates generally hovered between 6.7 and 7.3 per 1,000 from October 2024 to March 2025. However, there was a noticeable increase in crime rates during the summer months, peaking at 9.3 per 1,000 in July 2025, before slightly declining towards September 2025. This summer peak is a common pattern in many areas, often attributed to increased outdoor activity and longer daylight hours. For residents, this stable trend with minor seasonal variations suggests that while overall crime is not rapidly increasing, remaining vigilant during peak periods, such as the summer months, is a sensible approach to personal and property safety.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide a broader context for crime rates in Bedford, it is helpful to compare the area with its neighbours. Central Bedfordshire, a larger and more rural authority, typically presents different crime dynamics. Huntingdonshire, to the north, offers another comparison point, often reflecting a mix of market towns and rural communities. Milton Keynes, a major urban centre, provides a stark contrast with its distinct socio-economic landscape and associated crime patterns. Further afield, North Northamptonshire and North Hertfordshire offer insights into regions with varying population densities and local characteristics. Finally, Luton, another significant urban area, shares some similarities with Bedford in terms of urban challenges. By considering these diverse local authority districts, residents of Bedford can gain a more nuanced understanding of how their area's crime statistics fit into the wider regional picture, highlighting both common challenges and unique strengths in community safety.

Home Security and Protection

Given Bedford's property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000 people, which matches the UK average, residents should prioritise robust home security. While traditional CCTV systems can provide footage after an incident, true peace of mind comes from preventing crime before it happens. Modern, AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS offer a proactive approach, detecting threats at your property boundary rather than merely recording a burglary in progress.

Unlike reactive systems that notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and it can even catch fake vehicle plates instantly with DVLA verification. By learning your family's routines and distinguishing real threats from everyday activity, scOS minimises false alerts. This proactive deterrence, through features like activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often making them move on within the critical first 60 seconds. For those seeking professional-grade protection that actively works to prevent property crime, considering a system that offers these advanced, proactive capabilities is a significant step beyond simply recording what could have been prevented.