Bedford Crime Rate

Bedford local authority district reports an overall crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000 residents, which aligns exactly with the UK national average. With a safety score of 79/100, the area is considered a representative and generally secure part of the country. Recent data from January to December 2025 shows a stable trend, with a slight 2.6% decrease in year-over-year crime figures. This consistency across the district's mix of urban and rural environments provides a predictable safety landscape. While the town of Bedford itself sees higher concentrations of typical urban offences, the broader district benefits from lower crime volumes in its many suburban and rural communities.

About Bedford

Bedford is a diverse local authority district that blends a historic market town with extensive rural hinterlands. As the county town of Bedfordshire, it serves as a major commercial and administrative hub, featuring a busy town centre, significant retail developments, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The area's demographics are influenced by its excellent transport links, particularly the direct rail connection to London, which attracts a significant commuter population. Key employers in the aviation, engineering, and service sectors contribute to a transient daytime population. These factors—high urban density in the town centre, a busy night-time economy, and major transport hubs—often influence crime statistics, particularly in categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Conversely, the surrounding rural villages maintain a much quieter, residential profile, contributing to the district's balanced safety score. Economic factors, including pockets of urban regeneration alongside affluent suburban areas, also play a role in the local crime landscape.

Crime in Bedford

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type in Bedford, accounting for 35.3% of all incidents with 6,306 reports. Anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and shoplifting (8.9%) are the next most common categories. Property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, vehicle theft, and various forms of larceny, occurs at a rate of 32.2 per 1,000 residents. This matches the national average exactly, indicating that Bedford faces typical urban property challenges. Vehicle crime is a notable factor within this category, occurring at a rate of 6.1 per 1,000. For homeowners and residents, the burglary rate of 3.0 per 1,000 suggests a moderate risk that is consistent with UK norms, highlighting the need for standard but effective home security measures.

Crime Trends in Bedford

The crime trend in Bedford is currently stable, with a minor 2.6% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated between a low of 6.6 in December and a peak of 9.3 in July. This summer peak is a common trend in urban areas, often linked to increased footfall and outdoor activity. Following the July peak, the rate steadily declined through the autumn and winter months. This overall stability suggests that local policing and community safety initiatives are effectively managing the district's crime levels. For residents, this predictable pattern means that while standard vigilance is always necessary, the area is not experiencing any sudden or alarming shifts in its safety profile.

In a regional context, Bedford's crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the 0.0 rates reported for neighbouring Central Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire, North Hertfordshire, and Luton in this specific dataset. While these comparisons highlight Bedford as a more active area for reported crime, its alignment with the national average suggests it is a typical urban-rural district. Residents and businesses can view Bedford as a stable hub within the region, offering a standard level of safety consistent with the UK as a whole.

With a property crime rate of 32.2 per 1,000, Bedford residents face a level of risk that is typical for the UK. However, traditional security measures like standard CCTV often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to monitor property boundaries in real-time. By identifying suspicious behaviour or unauthorised vehicles via DVLA verification before a break-in happens, scOS can trigger autonomous responses such as light activation or audio alerts. This immediate deterrence is crucial for preventing burglary and vehicle crime, which are the primary property-related concerns in the area. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention ensures that your home is a hard target, encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on to easier locations. This professional-grade protection is particularly valuable in Bedford's urban and suburban neighbourhoods where visibility and rapid deterrence are key to property safety.

How To Keep Safe in Bedford

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type across the Bedford local authority area. To enhance personal safety, especially when visiting the town centre's busy shopping or nightlife districts, it is recommended to stay in well-lit, populated areas and plan your travel in advance. If you are out late, travelling in groups is always a safer option. For residents, vehicle crime is a notable concern at 6.7% of total crime; ensure that cars are always locked, valuables are removed, and parking in secure or well-lit spots is prioritized. Homeowners should maintain clear perimeters and consider motion-activated lighting to deter anti-social behaviour. Joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme is also an excellent way to stay informed and contribute to the overall safety of your community, helping to maintain the area's stable crime trend.