Reading Crime Rate

Reading local authority has an overall crime rate of 106.6 per 1,000 people per year. While this is above the UK average of 91.6, the area maintains a safety score of 75/100, indicating a relatively secure environment for a major regional and commercial hub. Reading's crime trend is currently stable, with a minor 1.3% reduction year-over-year. As a primary commercial, educational, and transport centre in the Thames Valley, the town's crime profile is influenced by high footfall, retail activity, and its significant student population. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types and monthly trends observed between January and December 2025, offering a clear view of the safety landscape for residents and businesses.

Reading is a major commercial, administrative, and educational hub in the Thames Valley, serving as a significant regional centre for Berkshire. Its crime statistics are influenced by its role as a premier retail destination, featuring the large Oracle shopping centre, and its status as a major transport hub with direct rail links to London and the west. The town also hosts the University of Reading and the famous Reading Festival, both of which bring high transient and student populations that contribute to the area's activity-related crime. Reading's economy is strongly driven by the technology and service sectors, attracting a diverse and professional demographic. While much of the local authority area consists of established residential neighbourhoods and suburbs like Caversham, the concentration of commercial, leisure, and nightlife activity in the core naturally leads to higher levels of shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and personal offences. Economic factors and the town's role as a major employment centre also play a significant role in its overall crime landscape.

In Reading, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.0% of all reported incidents (37.3 per 1,000). This is followed by shoplifting at 13.9% and anti-social behaviour at 10.4%. These figures indicate that personal and social-related offences are the most frequent issues handled by local police. Property crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts—presents a combined rate of 45.0 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, shoplifting is notably high, followed by other theft at 7.9% and vehicle crime at 5.3%. Burglary represents 3.5% of the total. For residents and homeowners, this data suggests that while violent crime is statistically common, property-related offences, particularly theft and vehicle-related crime, are significant concerns that require proactive security measures in this busy urban and commercial environment.

Reading is experiencing a stable crime trend, with a minor 1.3% reduction in total recorded crimes year-over-year. This stability suggests that the local safety environment is not undergoing major shifts. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 7.6 per 1,000 in January, rising to a yearly peak of 10.4 in August. This summer peak is common in many major urban centres. Following the summer peak, the crime rate generally declined, reaching its lowest point in February at 7.1. The year ended with a rate of 8.5 in December. Despite the seasonal fluctuations, the overall annual consistency remains the primary takeaway for the district's safety outlook.

When comparing Reading to its nearby local authorities, it appears as a much busier hub with a significantly higher crime rate. Neighbours such as Wokingham reported a much lower crime rate of 46.3 per 1,000, while others like Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hart, and Windsor and Maidenhead all reported even lower rates (0.0 per 1,000 in this dataset). This disparity is due to Reading's role as a major regional centre, commercial hub, and university town, which naturally attracts higher levels of activity and associated crime. For those considering the region, Reading offers the amenities and opportunities of a large town but with a higher crime profile than the more residential or rural surrounding districts.

With a property crime rate of 45.0 per 1,000 and vehicle crime making up over 5% of all incidents, residents in the Reading local authority should consider robust home security solutions. Traditional security often focuses on recording a crime after it has occurred, which may help with insurance or prosecution but does little to prevent the initial trauma of a break-in or theft. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered intelligence to monitor your property's boundary. Unlike standard CCTV, scOS can distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats, only alerting you when it matters. By activating autonomous deterrents like lights and audio warnings as soon as a threat is detected, scOS stops intruders before they can cause damage or gain entry. This shift from reactive to proactive protection is the most effective way to safeguard your home in an area where property-related offences are a persistent factor. Investing in a system that prevents crime before it happens provides the highest level of security for Reading homeowners.

How To Keep Safe in Reading

The most common crime in the Reading local authority area is violence and sexual offences. To enhance your personal safety, it is advisable to stay alert when in busy town centre areas, especially during the evening and night. Stick to well-lit routes, use licensed taxis when travelling late, and consider personal safety apps that allow you to share your journey with friends or family.

For property owners, the high rate of shoplifting and other theft suggests that securing your home’s perimeter is vital. Ensure that gates are locked and that there are no easy hiding spots around your property; motion-activated lighting is an excellent deterrent. For vehicle safety, always park in well-lit areas or secure car parks and never leave valuables inside your car. Even an empty bag can be enough to tempt an opportunistic thief. Finally, staying connected with your local neighbourhood watch or community police team can provide valuable updates on any specific crime trends in your immediate area. In a busy urban centre, being proactive about your personal and property security is the best way to ensure your safety.