Central Bedfordshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 315,877 residents, Central Bedfordshire recorded 1,359 crimes in January 2026, translating to a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 people. This figure places the area 34.8% below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000, a significant gap that reflects broader patterns in the region. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 35.8% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and other theft (6.5%). These figures align with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by shorter daylight hours and reduced retail activity, which may likely contribute to lower footfall in commercial areas and a corresponding decline in shoplifting and public order offences. The data also highlights the area’s relatively low levels of vehicle crime and burglary compared to the UK average, suggesting a combination of effective local policing strategies and the geographical characteristics of Central Bedfordshire, which includes both urban and rural landscapes. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the breakdown of offences indicates a persistent focus on addressing violent crime, which continues to dominate the local crime profile despite the area’s overall safety compared to national benchmarks.

January 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with 'Other crime' increasing by 59.5% compared to December, rising from 42 to 67 incidents. This category, which includes a wide range of non-specific offences, may partly explain the shift in the crime mix, though the exact nature of these incidents remains unclear. Public order offences also rose by 15.5%, from 71 to 82, potentially linked to the post-holiday period and the challenges of managing community interactions in areas with higher residential density. Conversely, there were marked decreases in several categories: possession of weapons fell by 69.2% (from 13 to 4), theft from the person dropped by 66.7% (from 6 to 2), and criminal damage and arson declined by 30% (from 120 to 84). These reductions may reflect the impact of targeted policing efforts or seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during colder months. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, remained 39% below the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000, highlighting Central Bedfordshire’s comparative success in curbing this type of crime. Residents may find it useful to note that the rate of robbery in the area was 100% below the UK average, with only 13 incidents reported in January compared to the national average of 0.1 per 1,000.

Compared to December 2025, the crime rate in Central Bedfordshire decreased by 6.5%, falling from 4.6 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This monthly decline, while modest, suggests a continued trend of stability in the area’s overall crime profile. On a daily basis, the local authority recorded an average of 44 crimes per day in January, a figure that provides context for residents to understand the frequency of incidents within their communities. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure to crime was 1 reported crime for every 232 residents, a rate that underscores the relatively low level of criminal activity in the area compared to both national averages and other local authority districts. This statistic is particularly meaningful for families and individuals considering long-term residency in Central Bedfordshire, as it indicates that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is significantly lower than the UK average. The combination of a declining trend, low daily crime counts, and a manageable monthly exposure rate suggests that the area maintains a strong position in terms of public safety, even as local policing efforts continue to adapt to emerging patterns in specific crime categories.