Reading car crime rate: Map shows where crime is highest

The streets in Reading are always busy (despite all the roadworks) but some of them seem to attract more vehicle-based crime than others.

People may wish to avoid certain areas prone to this type of offending. 

A tool created by Co-op Insurance has revealed the number of vehicle crimes in any area - and what roads it is happening in the most.

Vehicle crimes is a broad term, but it can be anything from vehicle theft, theft from a vehicle and vandalism.

How does the tool work?

The interactive map uses data published by the Home Office covering the past six months.

Users can search crime rates in their area by entering a postcode or location into the search bar.

The results are displayed in three coloured circles: red indicates an area that has had six or more incidents, orange shows streets that have seen three to five car crimes and yellow means there have been between zero and two incidents.

If you're planning on travelling further afield, the data spans England and Wales.

What did the data look like earlier this year?

A broad look at the data back in March of this year showed that roughly most crimes were reported in West Reading, with a high number of 19 crimes in the past six months between Salisbury Road and George Street.

There was also a high cluster of 17 crimes around London Road in East Reading.

What do the results show now?

Like in March, most car crimes have been committed in West Reading and South Reading. 

Battle ward near Reading West station appears to be a hotspot for car crime, with 10 offences reported between Gower Street and Oxford Road. 

There were eight offences reported on Lovelock Road in the six months up to August, where a number of car dealerships and garages are situated. 

Six offences were reported near or on the site of Royal Berkshire Hospital, just off London Road. 

Take a look at the map to find out how many vehicle crimes in the past six months were reported in a road of interest to you.