Caversham Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Caversham’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 31.2% below the UK average of 6.4. This performance, while modest in absolute terms, reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national trends. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (46 incidents, 31.7% of total), shoplifting (33 incidents, 22.8%), and vehicle crime (15 incidents, 10.3%). These figures suggest a mixed picture of urban challenges, with personal safety concerns and retail crime dominating the landscape. Seasonally, February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have influenced patterns, with some crimes likely tied to indoor spaces or limited public engagement. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remained 40% below the UK average (2.3 per 1,000), a disparity that may be attributed to Caversham’s proximity to Reading’s broader policing strategies or its own community-focused initiatives. Shoplifting, however, presented a contrasting anomaly, with its rate 72% above the UK average. This could be linked to the area’s retail presence, as Caversham is part of Reading’s commercial hub, where high foot traffic and accessible stores may create opportunities for such offences. Vehicle crime, while lower than the UK average (43% above), may be influenced by the area’s urban infrastructure, with parking spaces or transit routes contributing to the risk. The overall rate, despite being below the national benchmark, indicates that while Caversham is not free from crime, its management of key categories aligns with its character as a built-up area within a larger city.

February 2026 saw dramatic shifts in specific crime categories, with public order offences rising by 600% (from 1 to 7 incidents). This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a notable change in local dynamics. Concurrently, vehicle crime increased by 275% (4 to 15), possibly linked to seasonal factors such as reduced visibility or increased traffic during winter months. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply by 160%, from 5 to 13 incidents, a trend that may reflect the impact of colder weather on community interactions. In contrast, other crime decreased by 55.6% (9 to 4), and criminal damage and arson fell by 41.7% (12 to 7), suggesting a potential reduction in property-related incidents. Shoplifting, at 1.0 per 1,000 residents, remained 72% above the UK average (0.6), a figure that underscores the area’s unique challenges in retail crime prevention.

Caversham's crime rate in February 2026 remained stable compared to the previous month, with a 1.4% increase from 4.3 to 4.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major fluctuations in overall criminal activity during the period. Locally, the daily crime count averaged five incidents per day, a figure that may resonate with residents familiar with the area’s rhythms. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 228 residents, a monthly aggregate that provides context for the frequency of incidents in relation to the population. Given Caversham’s built-up nature within Reading, this rate aligns with the expectations of a densely populated urban environment. The population context further illustrates that while the area is not immune to crime, its overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, which is a key factor in shaping local perceptions of safety.