Caversham Crime Rate

Caversham is an exceptionally safe residential suburb with an overall crime rate of 47.9 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, reflecting the area's status as one of the most secure settlements in Berkshire. Caversham boasts a high safety score of 89/100, which is far above the national average of 79. The area's crime trend is currently stable, with a minor 1.5% decrease year-over-year, indicating a consistent safety landscape. As a popular residential area with its own local amenities and proximity to Reading, the crime profile is influenced by both residential and social activity. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and temporal patterns from January to December 2025.

In Caversham, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 31.5% of all reports (15.1 per 1,000). This is followed by shoplifting at 20.0% and anti-social behaviour at 10.2%. These three categories represent the majority of local police activity. Property crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts, has an overall rate of 22.9 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, shoplifting is the most prevalent, followed by 'other theft' at 8.0% and vehicle crime at 6.4%. Burglary represents 4.0% of total crime. For residents, the data suggests that while the area is exceptionally safe, property protection should focus on preventing opportunistic theft and vehicle-related offences, which are the most prominent property issues in this popular suburb.

Caversham is experiencing a stable crime trend, with a minor 1.5% 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 3.0 per 1,000 in January, rising to a yearly peak of 4.8 in April. Following this peak, the crime rate generally declined, reaching its lowest point in September at 3.4. The year ended with a rate of 4.3 in December. These monthly fluctuations show a typical seasonal pattern, but the overall annual consistency remains the primary takeaway for the suburb's safety outlook.

How To Keep Safe in Caversham

The most common crime in Caversham is violence and sexual offences. While the overall risk is very low, it is always wise to practice general situational awareness. When walking through the suburb at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through less populated paths or park areas. If you are out late, consider letting someone know when you expect to be home or using a personal safety app.

Given the rate of shoplifting and other theft in the area, residents should be particularly careful with their personal belongings in local shops and commercial centres. Keep bags zipped and close to your body, and be wary of distractions. For property owners, the rate of anti-social behaviour suggests that clear property boundaries and motion-activated lighting are effective deterrents. For vehicle safety, always ensure your car is locked and never leave valuables, bags, or electronics in plain sight. Opportunistic thieves often target vehicles that appear to have easy-to-grab items. Finally, staying active in local community groups or social media safety forums can help you stay informed about any recent spikes in activity or suspicious behaviour in the suburb, ensuring that Caversham remains one of the safest places to live.

Crime in Caversham follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted toward theft-related offences, accounting for 46% and 50% of crimes respectively. This coincides with the suburb's peak daytime activity. As the day moves into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts toward 'other' offences, which include anti-social behaviour, making up 45% of evening reports. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a significant rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for 44% of all incidents during these hours. Burglary risk is also most prominent at night (18%) and in the afternoon (17%). These trends suggest that while daytime is busier for theft, the night-time hours present a very high specific risk for vehicle owners, and afternoon is a key time for residential property security.

In the local context, Caversham is one of the safest residential options available. It is significantly more secure than the nearby urban centre of Reading, which has a much higher crime rate of 102.1 per 1,000, and is also safer than nearby Shinfield (59.0). While some neighbouring hamlets like Chalkhouse Green and Tokers Green report even lower rates, Caversham offers a premier suburban experience with a very high level of safety compared to the wider region. This makes it a top choice for those who want to be near the amenities of Reading while living in a much quieter and more secure environment.

In Caversham, the property crime rate of 22.9 per 1,000 and the presence of vehicle crime (6.4% of total crime) and burglary suggest that home security remains important. In a safe community like Caversham, the goal is often to maintain that high level of security by deterring opportunistic threats. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record a crime after it has happened. For Caversham residents who want to proactively defend their homes, scOS offers an AI-powered operating system that transforms security. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify potential intruders before they reach your house. The system’s autonomous responses—such as activating lighting and audio warnings—are designed to deter intruders instantly, often causing them to move on before any damage is done. This proactive approach is far more effective than simply recording a crime, as it prevents the incident entirely. For Caversham homeowners, scOS provides the technology to ensure your home remains as safe as the suburb itself, preventing crime before it happens and offering peace of mind.