Lowest-crime areas in Bedford
Of Bedford's 21 neighbourhoods, Wootton & Stewartby recorded the lowest crime rate, 41 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Castle & Kingsway the highest, 282 crimes per 1,000 residents. 14 of 21 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Bedford neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wootton & Stewartbyaround MK43 9PD | 41 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Riseley & Sharnbrookaround MK44 1EF | 42 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Bromham & Biddenhamaround MK40 4BL | 44 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Putnoearound MK41 8HE | 47 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Harrold, Chellington & Turveyaround MK43 7LS | 49 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Clapham, Oakley & Thurleigharound MK41 6GH | 53 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Wyboston, Great Barford & Coplearound MK41 0LS | 53 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Wilstead & Shortstownaround MK42 0QY | 61 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | De Parysaround MK40 3DB | 66 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Brickhillaround MK41 7DB | 67 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Kempston Northaround MK42 8UR | 68 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Queens Parkaround MK40 4LF | 85 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Kempston Central & Eastaround MK42 8EN | 87 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Wixams & Elstowaround MK42 6DR | 87 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Goldingtonaround MK41 8RL | 100 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | Newnhamaround MK41 9ST | 104 | High | Shoplifting |
| 17 | Kempston West & Southaround MK42 7EX | 116 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 18 | Cauldwellaround MK42 9FR | 145 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 19 | Harpuraround MK41 7DP | 167 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 20 | Kingsbrookaround MK42 0WE | 180 | Very high | Shoplifting |
| 21 | Castle & Kingswayaround MK40 3JR | 282 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Bedford has the lowest crime rate?
Wootton & Stewartby had the lowest recorded crime rate in Bedford from October 2025 to September 2026: 41 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Bedford has the highest crime rate?
Castle & Kingsway had the highest recorded crime rate in Bedford from October 2025 to September 2026: 282 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.