Caversham Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Caversham, 4.3 crimes were reported in December 2025—38.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This translates to one reported crime for every 233 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. The most common crimes were shoplifting (28.2% of total incidents), followed by violence and sexual offences (26.8%) and other theft (13.4%). These patterns align with seasonal dynamics: Christmas shopping peaks, extended dark evenings, and holiday-related absences from homes. Shoplifting rates in Caversham were 111% above the UK average, consistent with the area's retail density and high foot traffic in its commercial centres. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences were 53% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area's relatively stable community networks and limited nightlife activity compared to larger urban centres. The mix of property and violent crimes—83 property crimes versus 38 violent crimes—suggests a focus on commercial spaces rather than residential areas as primary crime hotspots. This balance may be influenced by Caversham's role as a built-up district within Reading, where retail and service sector activity drives certain crime types while community cohesion mitigates others.

December 2025 saw significant shifts in specific crime categories compared to November. Public order offences surged by 166.7%, rising from 3 to 8 incidents—likely linked to increased alcohol-related incidents during the festive season and heightened police visibility in public spaces. Bicycle theft doubled to 2 incidents, a 100% increase from November, possibly tied to seasonal cycling patterns and holiday gift purchases. Other theft also rose sharply by 90.0%, with 19 incidents reported, though this remains 15% above the UK average for the category. Conversely, robbery incidents fell by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), and anti-social behaviour dropped by 63.6%, potentially reflecting community efforts to manage festive crowds. Caversham's shoplifting rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 111% above the UK average, a stark contrast to its 53% below average for violence and sexual offences. This divergence highlights the area's unique crime profile: commercial districts drive shoplifting while community-focused policing may temper more severe violent crime. A resident is more likely to encounter shoplifting in a retail store than face a robbery, illustrating the tangible differences in risk exposure.

Caversham's crime rate in December 2025 (4.3 per 1,000) was 6.7% higher than November's 4.0 per 1,000, but still significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, 5 crimes were reported each day in December—a rate that, while steady, contrasts with the UK's typically higher daily crime figures. Over the course of the month, the 1-in-233 resident exposure figure provides a concrete sense of risk: if a resident visited every local shop, café, and public space, they would statistically encounter one crime for every 233 people in their vicinity. This rate is particularly notable when considering Caversham's population of 33,084: 142 total crimes equate to 0.43% of the population being directly affected. Compared to the UK average, Caversham's residents face a crime risk that is 38.6% lower, a benefit that may stem from its integration within Reading's broader policing strategies and the area's relatively compact, community-oriented layout. While daily crime counts offer a snapshot, the monthly exposure metric provides a more relatable measure of risk for local residents navigating their neighbourhoods.