Postcode district · Bedford
Crime in MK42
How much crime is recorded in MK42, what kind, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
- Council
- Bedford
- Region
- East of England
- Population
- 67,918 (2024)
MK42Postcode district · Bedford
How safe is MK42
Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 36.2 offences per 1,000 people a year in MK42, above the 31.1 average across England and Wales. That puts it in band 7 of 10 against all neighbourhoods.
Higher-harm crime band
7/ 10
Lowest crimeHighest crime
Around the middle of neighbourhoods in England and Wales.
Higher-harm
36.2
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 31.1
All crime
82
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 67
What crime is recorded
Recorded offences per 1,000 people a year (counting both residents and people who work locally, or per 1,000 households for burglary).
MK42National
Violence and sexual offences27.823.6
Shoplifting13.98.4
Anti-social behaviour12.710.7
Burglary10.59.1
Public order5.94.6
Criminal damage and arson5.14.7
Other theft4.94.5
Vehicle crime4.13.5
Drugs3.12.4
Other crime1.81.5
Bicycle theft1.21.0
Robbery1.11.4
Possession of weapons0.90.9
Theft from the person0.52.1
Higher-harm crime over time
It has risen 6% since 2022.
Higher-harm crimes per 1,000
0
10
20
30
40
2022202320242025
Source: data.police.uk street-level crime, resolved to neighbourhoods. Rates cover September 2025 to August 2026, the latest twelve months published.