Wokingham Crime Rate

Wokingham is one of the safest local authority districts in the UK, featuring an overall crime rate of 46.4 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, earning the area a high safety score of 89/100. The crime trend in Wokingham is currently described as stable, with a minor -0.5% change year-over-year, suggesting a consistent security environment for its 187,200 residents. While the district maintains an excellent reputation for safety, understanding the specific types of crime—ranging from retail-focused shoplifting to residential property concerns—is essential for residents and business owners. The following report provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest crime data for the Wokingham area.

About Wokingham

Wokingham is an affluent market town and local authority district in Berkshire, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK. The area is characterised by a mix of historic town centres, modern residential developments, and significant green belt land. As a key part of the 'Silicon Corridor', Wokingham hosts major employers in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, contributing to high employment rates and economic stability. The district's demographics are largely composed of professional families and commuters, served by excellent transport links to London and Reading. These factors—high population density in urban hubs like Woodley and Wokingham town, combined with a transient commuter population—influence the local crime statistics. While the area maintains a high safety score, its prosperity and retail centres naturally attract higher levels of shoplifting and opportunistic crime compared to more rural neighbouring districts.

Crime in Wokingham

In the Wokingham district, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crimes, totalling 3,192 incidents and accounting for 36.7% of all reports. Shoplifting follows as the second most common crime at 13.7%, reflecting the district's active commercial centres. Anti-social behaviour also makes up a significant portion of the total at 12.2%. Property-related crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 18.3 per 1,000 residents. Specifically, there were 296 burglaries and 388 vehicle crimes recorded over the last 12 months. For residents and homeowners, this means that while violent crime figures are high, they often involve non-domestic incidents or are concentrated in specific areas. The property crime rate suggests that residential and business security remain important priorities for the community.

Crime Trends in Wokingham

The crime trend in Wokingham has remained remarkably stable over the last year, showing only a slight -0.5% decrease in total incidents. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals a consistent pattern with minor seasonal variations. The year began with rates of 3.4 to 3.5 per 1,000 residents in the winter months, followed by a slight increase during the spring and summer, peaking at 4.4 in April, June, and July. The rates then began a gradual decline through the autumn, returning to 3.3 by November 2025. This steady trend suggests that local law enforcement and community safety initiatives are effectively maintaining a ceiling on criminal activity, preventing significant surges and ensuring Wokingham remains a consistently safe environment for its residents.

In a regional context, Wokingham's crime rate of 46.4 per 1,000 residents appears higher than several of its immediate neighbours, including Reading, Bracknell Forest, Hart, Windsor and Maidenhead, Surrey Heath, and Rushmoor, all of which reported a 0.0 crime rate in this specific dataset. However, it is important to note that Wokingham remains exceptionally safe when compared to the UK average. The differences between these areas often reflect varying degrees of urbanisation and commercial activity. Wokingham serves as a significant residential and economic hub, which naturally results in a higher volume of reported incidents than its more rural or less densely populated neighbouring districts.

With a property crime rate of 18.3 per 1,000 residents, Wokingham homeowners enjoy a relatively low-risk environment, yet the threat of burglary and vehicle crime remains present. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarm systems, are essentially reactive; they notify you or provide evidence only after a crime has been committed. For those seeking a higher level of protection, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries 24/7, distinguishing between everyday routines and genuine threats. If an unauthorised individual enters your property or a vehicle with suspicious plates is detected, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audio warnings—to deter the intruder immediately. This focus on prevention rather than just recording is particularly effective in affluent areas like Wokingham, where visible, intelligent deterrence can convince opportunistic criminals to move on to easier targets.

How To Keep Safe in Wokingham

As violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in the Wokingham district, personal safety and awareness are paramount. When moving through town centres or using transport hubs, particularly late at night, try to stay in well-lit, populated areas and keep a charged mobile phone accessible. For local businesses, the high rate of shoplifting suggests that investing in staff training for loss prevention and visible security presence is beneficial. At home, even in this safe district, always ensure windows and doors are locked when unoccupied. Consider installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your property to eliminate dark spots where intruders could hide. Finally, being part of a local community alert group can provide real-time updates on any suspicious activity in your specific neighbourhood, allowing for collective vigilance across the Wokingham area.