Crime in Reading, Pennsylvania

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2018. In Reading, however, property crimes account for only about 76% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is more prevalent in Reading than it is nationwide. There were 1,984 property crimes in Reading in 2018, or 2,243 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,200 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Reading. There were 1,192 larcenies reported in Reading in 2018, or 1,347 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,595 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 603 break-ins reported in Reading in 2018, or 682 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 327 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2018.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 229 for every 100,000 people. In Reading, meanwhile, there were 189 motor vehicle thefts in 2018, or 214 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the more than 8.4 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2018. In Reading, however, violent offenses account for a larger 24% share of all reported crime.

At 702 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Reading is well above the national violent crime rate of 381 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Reading reported a total of 621 violent crimes in 2018.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Reading. There were 328 aggravated assaults reported in Reading in 2018, or 371 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far lower, standing at 247 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 221 robberies reported in Reading in 2018, a rate of 250 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 86 per 100,000 in 2018.

Rape

There were 53 rapes reported in Reading in 2018, or 60 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,380 rapes in 2018, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 19 homicides committed in the city in 2018. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Reading is 21.5 murders for every 100,000 people, many times higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.