Reading Community Safety Partnership Crime Performance 2023 to 2024
Data fact sheet
Information based on Strategic Needs Analysis, 2023 (Liz Brown, Thames Valley Police Research Unit) and adapted by Jason Murphy, Community Safety Manager (Reading Borough Council).
Background
To reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in Reading and fulfil the partnership’s statutory duties as set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant legislation. Section 6 of the 1998 Act requires the responsible authorities (commonly referred to collectively as a Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in a local government area to work together in formulating and implementing strategies to tackle local crime and disorder in the area.
Reading’s Community Safety Partnership consists of those responsible authorities who are:
- Reading Borough Council
- Thames Valley Police (Reading Local Police Area)
- The Probation Service (South Central)
- Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Buckingham, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (BOB ICS)
Brighter Futures for Children and representatives from Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, along with a range of partners from Reading’s thriving Voluntary and Community Sector also attend.
Reading Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy – 2023 to 2026
Reading’s Community Safety Partnership is required to produce a strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder following the completion of a comprehensive strategic assessment to understand the levels and patterns of crime and disorder in the local area. Further to this, the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has placed further requirements on partnerships in the form of a Serious Violence Duty, which sets out that partnerships must formulate an evidence-based analysis of the problems associated with serious violence in their local area and produce and implement a strategy detailing how they will respond to those issues.
The current Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy was adopted in 2023.
Annual Performance 2023 to 2024
Understanding the impact of crime on residents’ feelings of safety enables the Reading Community Safety Partnership to consider the effectiveness of its approach to crime reduction.
In 2023 the Reading Community Safety Partnership has begun work to build both a quantitative and qualitative picture of the partnership’s performance. This includes surveying residents in 2023 and 2024 to better understand residents’ perceptions of safety.
A new dashboard of key performance indicators is under development and presented here. The dashboard will enable the Community Safety Partnership to track progress and measure comparative performance with neighbouring Local Authorities across the Thames Valley and England. Longer term the aim is to compare and track performance against Reading’s Community Safety Partnership statistical neighbours, so that learning can be applied from local authority areas with similar population, profile and demographics.
In addition to a new data dashboard a Strategic Needs Assessment and Serious Violence Strategic Needs Assessment have been completed, providing comparative analysis of the key issues that crime data indicated the Reading Community Safety Partnership should focus on in 2024/25 and into 2025/26.
Methodology
Data is drawn from several sources which due to its nature can adjust with time, as new crime data is updated, for example when an arrest is converted into a charge, or latterly a conviction. Police data is also measured by calendar year eg; January to December, rather than other source data which is measured by quarter within the financial year eg; April to March. Data provided here is therefore based on validated Police measures of the calendar
year (Jan to Dec) but will enable the reader to assess performance over a five-to-six-year period for comparison. There is a difference between crime rates measured as a number of occurrences (volume) and crime rates measured per 1000 population (proportions).
The data is also based on strategic needs assessments completed for Reading by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner, focusing on all crime and serious violence.
Where Key Performance Indicator data is available for 2024, this is included as tracked data, however, should be understood as progress so far, that is subject to change and will be reported on quarterly at each meeting of the Reading Community Safety Partnership Executive Meeting. A full year report on comparisons with 2023/24 will be provided at next years review.
Some data sets are presented in comparison to the Southeast Region and where available, England overall. A more complete set of data reports and source data can also be downloaded from the Berkshire Data Observatory. The source of data is attributed with each chart in the report.
Although data is presented here in comparison to Berkshire Local Authorities, it has not been possible to compare Reading with its statistical neighbours, although Slough is one.
Crime profile for Reading (Berkshire comparison)
Total crime reported in Reading since 2018 (chart 1) demonstrates there has been a 1.58% reduction in crime in 2023 from 2022. This follows a 12.82% increase in 2022. The Reading Community Safety Partnership is optimistic this positive trend will continue in 2024. When compared with other Berkshire unitary authority areas, only Windsor and Maidenhead has experienced a similar reduction (-1.96%).

Although there have been increases experienced in neighbouring local authority areas, the margins of those increases are reducing. The total volume of crime in Reading (18,724 offences) is 11.16% higher than the total experienced by Slough, meaning residents experience of crime in Reading is much higher than in neighbouring areas despite a reduction overall (1.58%) in 2023.
When crime is measured as a proportion of crimes experienced by per 1000 of the population, Readings experience is greater than other neighbouring local authorities, and despite overall falls in occurrences, is more likely to align to public perceptions of the rate of crime that is occurring. However, although Reading’s rate of crime has now exceeded that experienced by Slough (a statistical neighbour to Reading’s CSP), the overall proportion of crime per 1000 has in fact fallen from 109 (2022) to 107 in 2023.

Bracknell Forest has the greatest percentage increase of recorded crime for the 6 year change. Despite this they have reported the lowest number of recorded crimes year on year. Reading had the greatest increase in reported occurrences with an increase of 2725 occurrences from 2018-2023, even though experiencing a 1.58% decrease in recorded crime from 2022 to 2023.
Local Authority | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2023 | 6 year Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bracknell Forest | 5768 | 14% | 6587 | -8% | 6071 | 6% | 6447 | 12% | 7228 | 12% | 8072 | 40% |
Reading | 15999 | -1% | 15874 | -3% | 15344 | 10% | 16862 | 13% | 19024 | -1.58% | 18724 | 17% |
Slough | 14731 | 2% | 15034 | -1% | 14897 | 4% | 15483 | 5% | 16275 | 3% | 16744 | 14% |
West Berkshire | 8540 | 5% | 8950 | -13% | 7759 | 9% | 8433 | 14% | 9598 | 2% | 9742 | 14% |
Windsor and Maidenhead | 9257 | 6% | 9784 | -10% | 8760 | 9% | 9541 | 6% | 10068 | -2% | 9871 | 7% |
Wokingham | 6713 | 7% | 7181 | -5% | 6826 | 1% | 6890 | 15% | 7939 | 9% | 8682 | 29% |
Crime profile for Reading (rates of change)
Use of higher offence categories provides an overview of crime types at the highest level. The data tracks recorded offence occurrences over a six-year period (annual rates). In Reading the greatest increases have been recorded in Public Order and Violence Without Injury. However, in the most recent years of comparison Drugs and Violence Without Injury have the greatest number of offences recorded against them. Despite the increase in Drugs offences these are not at their highest point in the 6-year recorded time-period and Drugs offences are largely dependent on proactive work carried out by the Local Police Area.
The greatest volume changes for 2022 to 2023 were in Violence Without Injury (+318) and Acquisitive Crime (+198). Despite Public Order recording the greatest increase in the 6-year change it has recorded the greatest percentage (-25%) and volume (- 583) decrease from 2022 to 2023. However, although the six-year trend highlights some significant increases, such as with Public Order (165%), the 2023 data does indicate some reversals. Drug offences and Acquisitive Crime offences have however increased in 2023, which aligns with rates of shoplifting experienced in Reading.
Higher offence category | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2023 | 6 year Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acquisitive Crime | 7586 | -12% | 6664 | -13% | 5778 | -7% | 5345 | 31% | 6991 | 3% | 7189 | -5% |
Criminal Damage | 1853 | -4% | 1786 | -12% | 1576 | -7% | 1462 | 12% | 1638 | -10% | 1482 | -20% |
Drugs | 554 | 5% | 581 | 15% | 671 | 5% | 705 | -29% | 501 | 6% | 531 | -4% |
Other | 249 | 11% | 276 | 5% | 290 | -15% | 247 | 19% | 294 | -3% | 284 | 14% |
Public Order | 661 | 35% | 891 | 30% | 1156 | 99% | 2302 | 1% | 2332 | -25% | 1749 | 165% |
Sexual Offences | 522 | 13% | 592 | -4% | 570 | 12% | 640 | -1% | 634 | -4% | 606 | 16% |
Violence With Injury | 1646 | 4% | 1714 | -11% | 1526 | 14% | 1746 | 11% | 1935 | -6% | 1825 | 11% |
Violence Without Injury | 3156 | 16% | 3657 | 12% | 4089 | 16% | 4736 | 7% | 5058 | 6% | 5376 | 70% |
Occurrences can also be broken down into occurrence types (in other words the number of offences occurring). On reviewing those which have recorded the greatest increase in Reading from 2022 to 2023, Harassment, Stalking and Shoplifting were the top 3 occurrence types, albeit these offences are currently tracking a reduction into 2024.
Occurrence Type | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Change 22- 23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harassment | 120 | 844 | 724 | ||||
Stalking | 54 | 359 | 305 | ||||
Shoplifting | 1372 | 1288 | 907 | 1059 | 1397 | 1630 | 233 |
Theft From Vehicle | 1058 | 919 | 1126 | 783 | 816 | 1039 | 223 |
Assault Without Injury | 1879 | 2180 | 2141 | 2117 | 2519 | 2692 | 173 |
Controlling/Coercive Behaviour | 29 | 166 | 137 | ||||
Blackmail | 32 | 43 | 60 | 82 | 89 | 146 | 57 |
Theft | 1647 | 2061 | 1383 | 1448 | 1803 | 1846 | 43 |
The increases in Shoplifting identified in Reading is just under a 6% increase when measured as occurrences (number of offences). This is lower than the increase recorded nationally of 37%. The increased or improved reporting of Shoplifting aims to get a better picture of the impact which could then support with the implementation of a targeted strategy for tackling Shoplifting. It is important to note that when shoplifting is measured as a crime rate per 1000 population (see Chart 4) there has been a considerable increase since 2023 of 61%.
Theft From a Vehicle has had an increase of 27% from 2022 to 2023, this is greater than the reported increase nationally of 6%. There are clear hotspots on mapping in the residential area surrounding the Oxford Road in the Battle Ward and Abbey Ward. These areas contain significant amounts of on street parking due to the terrace housing on these streets.
Crime reporting by offence type
The following offences have been flagged as priority crime types that the Reading Community Safety Partnership will assess and review as part of its Key Performance Dashboard. Many of these are directly relevant to the strategic priorities set by Reading Community Safety
Partnership such as for example tackling persistent offending. Some offence types such as Serious Violence and Domestic Abuse are supported by their own distinct strategies, both at a local level and Thames Valley wide (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner).
Violence and sexual offences
Violence and Sexual Offences crime rates for Reading show the borough is experiencing a reduction, (see Chart *) from a peak in March 2023 of 49.62 (per 1000 population), to 42.8 in August 2024 (-12.1%). Overall, when comparing the year April 2022 to March 2023, with April 2023 to March 2024 there has been a confirmed reduction of 9.71%. Reading is showing a much faster reduction in Violence and Sexual Offences (March 2023 to April 2024) showing a 2% increase in the South-East region, when compared to the same period in 2022/23.

Shoplifting
Shoplifting on the other hand shows a different trend with rates of crime increasing, albeit the rate appears to have plateaued in Reading at a rate of 14.6 crimes per 1000 population and is starting to fall in the South-East region at 7.80 in August 2024. This is nearly half the rate experienced by Reading which is a significant outlier. Locally, and across Thames Valley a renewed focus on shoplifting has begun to impact on the offending of the most prolific offenders with the launch of Op Purchase. Since August 2023 Reading’s rate has increased from 9.06 and is likely attributable to a renewed focus on this type of offence. National discourse often refers to shoplifting as the most visible form of crime witnessed by the public, impacting business owners and reducing public confidence. Likewise, this year’s Annual Community Safety survey flags shoplifting as being among the primary concerns of residents.

Reporting trends will need to be assessed over time as confidence to report shoplifting offences increases, it is likely the overall reports of shoplifting offences will increase. This appears to be confirmed by tracking data up to June 24, with an increase from 8.86 offences per 1,000 in July 23 to 14.2 in July 24. Similar trends are tracking across the South-East. Notifiable shoplifting offences recorded by Thames Valley Police in June 24 (Q1) show a 57.4% increase in reported offences suggesting increasing confidence is leading to more reports.
Reading’s approach to shoplifting has been recognised Thames Valley wide as an exemplar of good practice. There is still much work to do in this domain – local evidence indicates that not all reports cited by local businesses were being reported to the Police, it is therefore unclear if an increase in reporting is due to increased confidence that reports will be prioritised. Thames Valley Police, working with the Business Improvement District (BID), Reading Businesses Against Crime and Reading Borough Council, combined with use of the Town Safe radio schemes, business access to information sharing app DISC and utilising CCTV; as well as an increase in the Town Centre Police Team establishment, Thames Valley Police have been able to ensure the most prolific offenders are targeted and dealt with by the Criminal Justice System.
Drug crimes
The number of drug offences measured as either possession of drugs or tracking of drugs is currently tracking at 1.8% increase (June 2024). This increase accounts for both a 6.2% reduction in possession of drug offences with a 21.1% increase in trafficking offences. This is likely due to Thames Valley Police success at tackling drug supply. Ultimately harm reduction, to reduce demand, is more likely to reduce the impact of drug offences on
communities. Overall, since the year beginning 2024, the rate of drug offences per 1,000 population appears to be decreasing, consistent with the South-East trends which is also decreasing (Chart 5).

Anti-social behaviour
Antisocial Behaviour or ASB is a complex issue, with several different mechanisms for reporting the scale and impact of this issue. Data below (Chart 6) details the amount of ASB reported to Thames Valley Police only, based on its own definition of ASB which is:
‘Antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’
Reading Community Safety Partnership defines ASB as:
“Behaviour causing damage, disturbance, distress, harm or fear which has a significant impact on people’s lifestyles, routines or their environment. Persistence, intensity and the number of incidents involved are relevant factors. The behaviour need not be a breach of the criminal law.”
In addition to Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council’s responsibility, housing providers also have their own duties to tackle ASB experienced by their tenants. Other services such as Environmental Services tackle environmental issues such as fly-tipping or abandoned cars, whilst matters related to water related ASB such as illegal moorings are the responsibility of the Environment Agency. Therefore, it is not possible to present a universally complete set of data that tracks Reading’s experience of all ASB overall.
It is also an issue that is known to be underreported or reports that are made are often of activity that is not illegal or perceived as ASB but is in fact not. Such as groups of young people gathering or swimming in a river. Where ASB is investigated and found to be valid a range of enforcement tools are available, dependent on resources and the quality of evidence provided. A new Safer Public Realm Team was introduced by Reading Borough Council in 2024 with a focus on ASB occurring in the public realm, including aggressive begging, street drinking and illegal encampments.
Reading’s experience of ASB as reported to Thames Valley Police tracks a slight increased level of ASB to year beginning 2024 of 12.2 incidents per 1,000 population, a marginal increase of 2.76%, from 11.86 at year beginning 2023. Although Reading’s rate is slightly higher than the South-East regional rate it is well below the England rate which measured up to December 2023 was 17.7% than Reading’s rate. Tracking data for July 2024 indicates a reduction again in Reading.
Reading Borough Council reports of ASB are falling for the period April 2021 to March 2024: 21-22 – April to March – 327 cases
22-23 – April to March – 221 cases (-31.5% from 21/22) 23-24 – April to March – 245 cases (+10.85% from 22/23)
This is indicative of an expanded local offer, including the introduction of a new Reading Borough Council Safer Public Realm Team focused on place based ASB, supporting the ASB Team which now works only with property based ASB. It remains uncertain how much ASB is being dealt with by other housing providers in Reading.
Youth justice
Data for the Youth Justice Service tracks the number of first-time entrants, rates of re-offending and custodial settings for children under 18.
First time entrants

With 230 First Time Entrants per 100,000 children in the April 2023 to March 2024 period, the YJS is performing considerably less well than all other comparator groups. This also shows a significant increase on April 2022 to March 2023 which had a rate of 156. The increase amounts to 12 additional children becoming first time entrants. The implementation of the Joint Decision-Making Panel in March 24 and availability of Outcome 22 as a diversionary measure are both identified as developments to support the reduction in FTEs.
Re-offending (youth justice)

Custodial sentences (youth justice)

At a rate of 0.12 per 1000 children for the April 2023 to March 2024 period, the custody rate is higher than that of all comparator groups though similar to the national rate. The introduction of custody panels to ensure increased management oversight of proposals to Courts, and the offer of training/workshops to colleagues in HMCTs on the theory underpinning Child First, identity development and trauma informed practice, are identified as important developmental pieces of work for 2024-25.