Reading crime rate Interactive maps and visualisation

Overview of Reading crime rate

Essential tools against vehicle theft.

Reading is classified with a high crime rating,

securing the 2nd position among 25 neighbouring districts based on the crime rate. The year 2023 saw the report of 20,519 criminal activities. With a population tallying at 174,224, the crime rate is calculated at 117.77 per 1,000 inhabitants, showcasing a 4.62% decline from the preceding year.

The most recurrent crime types in Reading include Violence and sexual offences (36.7%), Anti-social behaviour (9.5%), and Other theft (9.1%), with the rarest being Other crime (1.3%), Robbery (1.0%), Possession of weapons (0.8%).

Among Reading’s 16 wards, the ones with elevated crime rates are Abbey (Reading) (453.2), Thames (Reading) (175.3), Battle (138.6). On the flip side, the safest wards are Tilehurst (67.7), Emmer Green (53.0), Caversham Heights (27.3).

In terms of Postcode districts within Reading, the highest crime rates are noted in RG30 (205.6), RG1 (188.3), RG19 (121.4). The most secure postcode districts are RG10 (45.2), RG5 (44.1), RG26 (41.4).

In Reading, Public order offenses increased by 1.82% in 2020 and significantly by 6.99% in 2021, but saw a decrease of 3.80% in 2023. Violence and sexual offences rose by 3.62% in 2020, 7.62% in 2021, and 2.20% in 2022, but decreased by 1.77% in 2023. Other theft decreased by 1.87% in 2020, but increased by 1.65% in 2021 and 1.85% in 2022. Shoplifting saw an increase of 2.01% in 2022. Anti-social behaviour saw a decrease of 1.68% in 2022. Vehicle crime decreased by 1.67% in 2021. Bicycle theft saw a decrease of 1.53% in 2023.

Reading crime incidents by crime type

A total of 20519 crime incidents were reported in 2023. Below is the breakdown by crime type.

Violence and sexual offences – 7533 (36.7)%
Anti-social behaviour – 1953 (9.5)%
Other theft – 1877 (9.1)%
Public order – 1715 (8.4)%
Shoplifting – 1559 (7.6)%
Vehicle crime – 1474 (7.2)%
Criminal damage and arson – 1442 (7.0)%
Burglary – 865 (4.2)%
Bicycle theft – 542 (2.6)%
Drugs – 495 (2.4)%
Theft from the person – 416 (2.0)%
Other crime – 269 (1.3)%
Robbery – 215 (1.0)%
Possession of weapons – 164 (0.8)%

How does Reading compare against nearby areas ?

Reading ranks 2nd when compared against 25 nearby boroughs/local administrative districts.

List of nearby boroughs/local administrative districts from high crime rate to low (2023):

Heat map for all nearby areas Reading is compared against

Crime rates in Reading wards

There are 16 wards within Reading. Abbey (Reading), Thames (Reading), Battle has highest crime rate (crime per 1000 residents). Below map shows 2023 crime rates broken down by crime types.

get-ward-map/reading/

List of all 16 wards from high crime rate to low.