Quick Facts:

• Reading’s Crime Rate: 107 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Dangerous Areas:
  • Abbey: 164 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Norcot: 143 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Park: 142 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Safest Areas:
  • Caversham Heights: 36 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Emmer Green: 54 crimes per 1,000 people.
  • Redlands: 65 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour.

Source: CrimeRate

Is Reading Safe?

According to CrimeRate data, Reading is the most dangerous city in Berkshire. In 2024, the city’s overall crime rate stood at 107 crimes per 1,000 people, placing it among the top 25 most dangerous cities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. But is the situation as concerning as it seems?

In this article, we’ll dive into Reading’s crime statistics, highlighting both the safest and most high-risk areas. We’ll also provide practical safety tips for businesses and residents to stay secure in the city.

Is Reading A Safe Place To Live?

Over the past three years, Reading has seen a decline in its crime rate. In 2022, the city recorded 117 crimes per 1,000 people, which dropped to 107 crimes per 1,000 people in 2024. This reduction reflects a positive trend in safety, making Reading a more secure place to live today compared to three years ago.

What Are the Safest Areas in Reading?

The safest areas in Reading in 2024 were:

• Caversham Heights: 36 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Emmer Green: 54 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Redlands: 65 crimes per 1,000 people.

Located in different parts of Reading, each of these neighbourhoods have something different to offer residents and businesses.

Caversham Heights is an affluent, leafy suburb known for its spacious homes and peaceful atmosphere.

Just to the north, Emmer Green provides a balance of suburban convenience and countryside charm, appealing to families and retirees.

In contrast, Redlands, situated near the university and hospital, has a lively, urban feel, attracting students and young professionals.

Each area has its own character, catering to different lifestyles and preferences. With their low crime rates, these neighbourhoods are worth considering for those seeking safe places to live, work, or establish a business in Reading.

What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Reading?

The most dangerous areas in Reading in 2024 were:

• Abbey: 164 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Norcot: 143 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Park: 142 crimes per 1,000 people.

Abbey, Norcot, and Park each have drawbacks that may affect residents and workers.

Abbey, being in the town centre, has the highest crime rate in Reading, with frequent incidents of theft and violent crime, making it a less secure place to live. It can also be noisy and congested, particularly around nightlife spots and busy shopping areas.

Norcot, while more suburban, has pockets of crime, particularly along certain streets, and some areas can feel rundown with limited amenities compared to other parts of Reading.

Park, despite its green spaces, experiences high crime levels, including violence and sexual offences and theft, and some parts feel overcrowded due to student housing.

While each area has positives, these factors may impact quality of life of some residents. Whether you’re living, studying, working, or running a business in these areas, it’s important to take precaution to ensure safety. Later, we’ll cover practical safety tips for residents and businesses.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Reading?

According to CrimeRate, the top 5 most common crimes in Reading in 2024 were:

• Violence and sexual offences: 6,830 incidents (41 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Shoplifting: 2,384 incidents (14 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Anti-social behaviour: 1,985 incidents (12 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Other theft (including employee theft and blackmail): 1,833 incidents (11 crimes per 1,000 people)
• Public Order: 1,483 incidents (8 crimes per 1,000 people)

Violence and sexual offences were by far the most reported crimes, accounting for a significant portion of Reading’s overall crime rate. However, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, other theft, and public order crimes still remain major concerns across the city.

Is Crime in Reading Increasing?

Whilst Reading is the most dangerous city in Berkshire, in recent years the city’s crime rate has been declining:

• 2022: 117 crimes per 1,000 people.
• 2023: 116 crimes per 1,000 people.
• 2024: 107 crimes per 1,000 people.

This downward trend reflects ongoing efforts to tackle crime through strategies such as the Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy 2023 to 2026, contributing to a safer environment for residents and businesses.

How to Stay Safe in Reading

As we’ve highlighted throughout this article, crime continues to be a concern for both residents and businesses in Reading. However, by implementing practical safety measures, you can enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Here are some crime prevention tips to help you stay safe in Reading:

Tips for Residents:

• Secure Your Home: Enhance security by installing high-quality locks on doors and windows, and ensure your property is well-lit to deter intruders.
• Invest in Security Technology: Protect your home by installing CCTV, alarm systems and motion-sensor lights to help deter burglars.
• Protect Your Belongings: Keep valuables out of sight both at home and in public to reduce the risk of theft.

Tips for Businesses:

• Manned Guarding: Create a secure and welcoming environment with fully licensed security guards stationed at your business premises.
• CCTV Monitoring Services: Consider 24/7 professional surveillance and real-time monitoring of your business premises to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and for added peace of mind.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response: Ensure prompt intervention with keyholding and alarm response services, offering swift action in case of alarm activations and maintaining safety for employees, customers, and visitors.

Conclusion: Is Reading Safe?

As we’ve seen, Reading’s crime rate has been steadily declining in recent years, thanks to the efforts of various agencies working to reduce crime across the city. The significant drop in crime statistics over the past three years is a clear indicator that these efforts are having a positive impact. This means that whether you’re living, running a business, or simply visiting Reading, you can feel safer in the city.

That said, we still recommend taking safety precautions to ensure you can fully enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Has this article peaked your interest in learning more about our nationwide security guarding services? Explore your options on our services page. Region Security Guarding offers construction security, warehouse security, and retail security across Reading.

If you found this article useful, you can learn more about crimes rates in other cities on our News & Insights page.