Basingstoke vs Reading — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Basingstoke

RG22 · Hampshire

151

crimes in February 2026

Near national average

  • Violence & sexual offences63
  • Anti-social behaviour14
  • Burglary12

Reading

RG31 · Reading

113

crimes in February 2026

Near national average

  • Violence & sexual offences34
  • Shoplifting31
  • Anti-social behaviour15

Reading has less crime — 113 vs 151 incidents in February 2026.

What the data shows

Basingstoke saw somewhat more crime than Reading in February 2026 (151 vs 113 incidents). The crime profiles diverge meaningfully: Basingstoke sees higher rates of Burglary (12), while Reading has more Shoplifting (31). Both areas sit near the national average, with modest differences in their overall safety profile.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Basingstoke or Reading safer?

Based on February 2026 Police data, Reading recorded fewer crimes than Basingstoke — 113 vs 151 incidents. That is 25% fewer crimes.

What are the main differences in crime between Basingstoke and Reading?

The main difference lies in crime type. In February 2026, Basingstoke saw higher rates of Burglary while Reading had more Shoplifting. Overall, Reading recorded fewer total crimes (113 vs 151).

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