Local Area Crime Statistics

West Berkshire Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in West Berkshire

West Berkshire has a crime rate of 68.0 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 84/100, indicating a safer environment than the UK average.

Overall Crime Rate

68.0
per 1,000 people
27% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

23.7
per 1,000 people
29% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 165,112 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for West Berkshire

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in West Berkshire
Overall Crime Rate68 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate23.7 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score84 out of 100
Population165,112
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in West Berkshire
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,14825.137%
Anti-social behaviour1,5589.414%
Shoplifting1,0936.610%
Criminal damage and arson9445.78%
Public order9005.58%
Other theft6824.16%
Vehicle crime5153.15%
Burglary3932.44%
Drugs3862.33%
Other crime2531.52%
Bicycle theft1470.91%
Robbery850.51%
Possession of weapons620.41%
Theft from the person560.30%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in West Berkshire

West Berkshire demonstrates a favourable crime landscape with an overall crime rate of 68.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning West Berkshire as a considerably safer area. The region boasts a safety score of 84 out of 100, surpassing the national average score of 78. In terms of recent trends, the crime rate in West Berkshire has remained stable, experiencing a minor increase of 1.3% year-over-year. This stability provides a reassuring context for the detailed crime data presented in the following sections.

West Berkshire Safety Score

84
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

West Berkshire has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across West Berkshire

Reading

102.3
per 1,000
High Risk

Newbury

96.9
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Theale (West Berkshire)

92.1
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Lambourn

79.8
per 1,000
Low Risk

Thatcham

71.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Hungerford

71.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Aldermaston

68.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Burghfield Common

68.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Chieveley

66.8
per 1,000
Low Risk

Mortimer

66.4
per 1,000
Low Risk

Pangbourne

58.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Upper Bucklebury

57.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About West Berkshire

West Berkshire, a predominantly rural local authority district with significant market towns like Newbury and Thatcham, presents a diverse environment that influences its crime statistics. The area is characterised by a mix of residential communities, agricultural land, and some commercial centres. Major transport routes, including the A34 and M4, traverse the district, potentially contributing to transient populations and associated vehicle or opportunistic theft. While not a major tourism hub, its natural beauty and historic sites attract visitors. The population density varies significantly, with higher concentrations in its built-up areas. The generally affluent nature of many parts of West Berkshire, coupled with strong community ties in smaller villages, likely contributes to its higher safety score compared to the UK average. However, the presence of larger towns and transport links means certain crime types, such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, are still prevalent.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,148 incidents (25.1 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,558 incidents (9.4 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,093 incidents (6.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
944 incidents (5.7 per 1,000)
Public order
900 incidents (5.5 per 1,000)
Other theft
682 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
515 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Burglary
393 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Drugs
386 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Other crime
253 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
147 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Robbery
85 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
62 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
56 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 10.9% change(over 12 months)
West Berkshire
UK Average

Compare West Berkshire with similar populations

West Berkshire has a 27.2% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in West Berkshire

An analysis of crime types in West Berkshire reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 37.0% of all reported crimes with a rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, making up 13.9% of the total at 9.4 per 1,000. Shoplifting ranks as the third most frequent offence, representing 9.7% of crimes with a rate of 6.6 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, understanding property-related crime is crucial. The overall property crime rate in West Berkshire stands at 23.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses burglary (2.4 per 1,000), other theft (4.1 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.1 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (5.7 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.9 per 1,000), robbery (0.5 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.3 per 1,000). While lower than national figures, these statistics highlight the ongoing importance of securing homes and belongings.

Crime Trends in West Berkshire

Over the past year, West Berkshire has experienced a stable crime trend, with a marginal year-over-year increase of 1.3% in total crimes. Examining the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals a degree of fluctuation. The crime rate saw a dip towards the end of 2024, reaching 4.9 in December and January, and further decreasing to 4.6 in February 2025. However, there was a noticeable increase in March 2025 to 6.0, followed by slight variations in the subsequent months, generally hovering between 5.7 and 6.3. The latest data for September 2025 shows a rate of 5.7 per 1,000. For residents, this stable trend suggests that the overall risk environment has not significantly changed, but the monthly variations indicate that crime levels can fluctuate, making it important to remain vigilant and informed about local patterns.

Comparing West Berkshire with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, West Berkshire's crime statistics can be compared with several similar areas. With an overall crime rate of 68.0 per 1,000, West Berkshire is notably safer than Reading, which typically experiences higher urban crime rates. When compared to more rural or suburban neighbours such as South Oxfordshire, Wokingham, and Hart, West Berkshire generally aligns with or is slightly higher than their typically very low crime figures, reflecting its larger population and urban centres like Newbury. Basingstoke and Deane, a larger town, often presents a higher crime rate due to its size and commercial activity. This comparison highlights West Berkshire's position as a relatively safe area within the broader region, balancing its rural characteristics with the presence of moderate-sized towns.

Protecting Your Property in West Berkshire

Given West Berkshire's property crime rate of 23.7 per 1,000, which is below the national average, it remains vital for residents to consider robust home security measures. Traditional security approaches often focus on recording incidents after they occur, providing footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. If you are seeking real protection, a proactive approach is essential. Advanced AI-powered systems like scOS are designed to detect threats at your property boundary, intervening before a break-in even happens. Unlike DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, professional-grade solutions deter potential intruders in real-time. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; visible deterrence makes them move on. By investing in professional security that actively prevents crime, you can significantly enhance the safety of your home and belongings, moving beyond simply documenting an event to truly stopping it.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for West Berkshire

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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