Rural Bedford Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For someone living in Rural Bedford, the crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents in February 2026 means a roughly 1-in-219 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. This rate, 28.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, reflects a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (42.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and criminal damage and arson (10%). These figures align with the area’s character as a built-up rural community with limited commercial density, where interpersonal conflicts and property-related disputes may dominate. The seasonal context of February—characterised by colder weather and reduced outdoor activity—likely contributes to the focus on indoor and community-based crimes. While violence remains the largest category, its rate of 2.0 per 1,000 is 14% below the UK average for this category, suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may play a role. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) and theft from the person (absent in the breakdown) further indicate a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians compared to more densely populated areas. This data underscores that while crime is present, its scale in Rural Bedford remains lower than national benchmarks, particularly in violent and property-related categories.

February 2026 saw significant shifts in crime patterns compared to January, with public order offences surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 cases) and vehicle crime doubling (from 2 to 4). These increases may reflect the return of community events or gatherings after winter restrictions. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), possibly due to seasonal factors or targeted enforcement. The breakdown also reveals that violent crimes, while remaining the largest category, are 14% below the UK average for this type. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, is marginally below the UK rate of 0.9 per 1,000, suggesting local efforts to manage disruptive behaviour may be effective. Shoplifting in Rural Bedford is 83% below the UK average, a statistic that could be particularly reassuring for local businesses. The rise in criminal damage and arson (up 75%) to 7 cases highlights a need for vigilance in protecting property during colder months. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in the area, with certain categories responding more sharply to seasonal and local conditions than others.

Compared to January 2026, when the crime rate stood at 4.3 per 1,000, February saw a 6.0% increase to 4.6 per 1,000. This small upward trend is most visible in public order offences and vehicle crime, which more than doubled in absolute terms. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in February, a figure that translates to manageable levels for a community of 15,339 residents. Over the course of the month, the 70 reported crimes meant that every resident faced a roughly 1-in-219 chance of being directly affected by a crime, a rate that remains significantly lower than the UK average. This monthly exposure metric helps contextualise risk: for a family of four, the likelihood of experiencing a crime would still be relatively low compared to larger urban areas. The slight increase in the overall rate from January, however, suggests that local factors—such as changing weather patterns or community dynamics—may be influencing crime trends. While the population-scaled perspective shows a stable and low-risk environment, the month-on-month changes highlight the importance of monitoring specific categories like public order, which saw a dramatic surge. These comparisons reinforce that while Rural Bedford is generally safer than national averages, vigilance in addressing emerging trends is essential.