Cold Ash Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2025, Cold Ash—a built-up area within West Berkshire—recorded a crime rate of 1.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 85.7% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure translates to a daily risk profile where, on average, no crimes are reported per day, a statistic that may partly explain the area's reputation for safety. The crime mix reveals a stark focus on property-related offences: 11 of the 13 total crimes were property crimes, with vehicle crime dominating at 8 incidents (61.5% of all reported crimes). This aligns with the area's character as a relatively low-density built-up space, where vehicle theft and damage may be more prevalent due to factors like parking patterns or local infrastructure. Seasonal context also plays a role; April's Easter period and spring weather likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, influencing the types and locations of crimes. While the overall rate remains exceptionally low, the sharp rise in vehicle crime—surging 166.7% from March—suggests a need for vigilance in this category. The UK average for vehicle crime is 0.4 per 1,000, yet Cold Ash's rate of 0.7 per 1,000 is 84% above this benchmark, indicating a localised challenge that contrasts with its broader safety profile. Other crime types, such as anti-social behaviour and burglary, are significantly below national averages, reinforcing Cold Ash's status as a relatively secure area. However, the 100% increases in criminal damage and public order offences highlight the need for continued monitoring, particularly as these categories may reflect transient factors like seasonal events or temporary shifts in community dynamics. The low overall rate, combined with the area's small population, ensures that residents face minimal risk on a per-person basis, though targeted awareness around vehicle crime could further reduce exposure.

April 2025 saw a dramatic 166.7% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 3 to 8 incidents—a jump that outpaces all other categories. This surge, coupled with 100% increases in criminal damage and public order offences, contrasts sharply with a 50% drop in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 2 to 1. While vehicle crime in Cold Ash remains 84% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000, other categories like anti-social behaviour and burglary are significantly below national rates (92% and 63% below, respectively). For residents, the most immediate concern may be the sharp rise in vehicle crime, which now accounts for 61.5% of all reported incidents. This shift suggests a potential seasonal factor tied to Easter-related traffic or increased outdoor activity. The contrast between rising vehicle crime and falling anti-social behaviour highlights a combination of local dynamics that warrant closer observation.

Cold Ash's crime rate in April 2025 rose 29.5% from March's 0.9 per 1,000 to 1.1 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend. Over 30 days, the area recorded 13 total crimes, equating to roughly 0 crimes per day—a figure that underscores the area's consistently low crime environment. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for every 877 residents, a statistic that contextualises risk in tangible terms for local households. When compared to the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, Cold Ash remains 85.7% below the national rate, a disparity that highlights the area's safety profile despite the recent increase. The population of 11,400 further scales this perspective: even with the rise in specific categories like vehicle crime, the overall exposure remains exceptionally low, reinforcing the area's status as a relatively secure built-up space within West Berkshire.