Reading vs Whitchurch — Crime Comparison 2026

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

Reading

RG1 · Reading

727

crimes in February 2026

Above national average

  • Violence & sexual offences218
  • Shoplifting163
  • Public order64

Whitchurch

RG28 · Hampshire

11

crimes in February 2026

Below national average

  • Violence & sexual offences5
  • Burglary2
  • Anti-social behaviour2

Whitchurch has less crime — 11 vs 727 incidents in February 2026.

What the data shows

Reading recorded substantially more crime than Whitchurch in February 2026 — 727 incidents compared to 11, a 66.1x difference. The crime profiles diverge meaningfully: Reading sees higher rates of Shoplifting (163) and Public order (64), while Whitchurch has more Burglary (2) and Anti-social behaviour (2). Reading sits above the national average for recorded crime while Whitchurch is below — a significant gap for anyone weighing up the two.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Reading or Whitchurch safer?

Based on February 2026 Police data, Whitchurch recorded fewer crimes than Reading — 11 vs 727 incidents. That is 98% fewer crimes. Whitchurch is also below the national average for crime.

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

The main difference lies in crime type. In February 2026, Reading saw higher rates of Shoplifting and Public order while Whitchurch had more Burglary and Anti-social behaviour. Overall, Whitchurch recorded fewer total crimes (11 vs 727).

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