Crime by type, area by area
Every crime recorded by police in England and Wales from August 2011 to July 2026: 15 years, 14 crime types, every local authority. Pick an area, compare it with others, and break it down year by year or month by month.
Loading 15 years of crime records…
What each crime type means
Police.uk sorts every recorded offence into one of 14 types. Each one covers a wide range: “violence and sexual offences” runs from a push to murder. The examples below are real offences from the Home Office mapping for each type.
Violence and sexual offencesAny offence where someone is hurt, threatened, harassed or sexually assaulted. It runs from a push in a pub to murder, so the headline number is dominated by less serious violence and harassment.
For example
- A punch or push that causes no injury (common assault)
- An assault that causes a broken bone or needs stitches (actual or grievous bodily harm)
- Repeated unwanted messages or following someone (harassment, stalking)
- Domestic abuse involving violence or threats
- Rape and other sexual assaults
- Threats to kill; causing death by dangerous driving
Not counted here
- Robbery: using force to steal is its own category
- Fighting in the street with no one reporting an injury is often recorded as public order (affray)
Official definition: “Includes offences against the person such as common assaults, Grievous Bodily Harm and sexual offences.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Decide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.
- Council and domestic abuse services: Refuges, domestic abuse support and the local multi-agency risk conference (MARAC) for high-risk victims.
- NHS: Treats injury; sexual assault referral centres collect forensic evidence and support victims.
- Probation Service: Manages offenders on licence and community sentences.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form. Sexual assault can also be reported to a sexual assault referral centre without going to the police first.
Reading the trend: Until April 2013 police.uk called this "Violent crime". The series here joins the two. Forces recorded crime much more thoroughly after the 2014 national inspection of crime recording, and new offences (such as coercive control, stalking and harassment) were brought into the count. Both pushed recorded violence up without any matching rise in the Crime Survey.
Anti-social behaviourincident, not a crimeBehaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress but usually is not a crime on its own. These are incidents, not crimes, so they are counted separately from "total crime".
For example
- Rowdy or drunken behaviour in the street
- Neighbours who keep making excessive noise
- Groups intimidating passers-by
- Nuisance motorbikes or cars
- Littering, graffiti or fly-posting reported to the police
Not counted here
- Fly-tipping and most noise complaints made to the council: police.uk only shows ASB reported to the police
- Criminal damage, threats or assault: these are crimes and are counted in their own categories
Official definition: “Includes personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour.”
Who deals with it
Local council and police, jointly: The council handles noise, environmental and neighbour nuisance and holds civil powers; police deal with ASB that is criminal or involves a pattern of intimidation.
- Social housing landlords: Can enforce tenancy conditions against tenants causing ASB.
- Community safety partnership (council, police, fire, health, probation): Legal duty to agree a local plan to reduce crime and disorder, based on a yearly strategic assessment.
- ASB case review: A victim who has reported repeatedly (the threshold is set locally, often three reports in six months) can make agencies review the case together.
How to report it
Police on 101 or online for intimidating or criminal behaviour; the council for noise, neighbour nuisance and environmental ASB.
Reading the trend: Only ASB reported to the police. Forces changed how they record ASB at different times, so a comparison between forces is weaker here than for crimes.
Criminal damage and arsonDeliberately damaging or destroying someone else's property, including by setting fire to it.
For example
- Keying a car or smashing its window (when nothing is stolen)
- Kicking in a front door or breaking a shop window
- Graffiti on a building that has to be cleaned off
- Setting fire to a bin, a car or a building
Not counted here
- A window broken to steal from a car or home is recorded as vehicle crime or burglary
Official definition: “Includes damage to buildings and vehicles and deliberate damage by fire.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Fire and rescue service: Attends and investigates fires; runs arson-reduction work with the police.
- Council: Removes graffiti from public property, manages CCTV and designs out repeat hotspots.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form. Call 999 for any fire.
ShopliftingStealing goods from a shop, supermarket or market stall.
For example
- Taking goods out of a shop without paying
- Theft from a market stall
- Organised gangs stealing to order from retailers
Not counted here
- Leaving a petrol station without paying counts as "other theft" (making off without payment)
- Threatening or assaulting staff while stealing is robbery or assault
Official definition: “Includes theft from shops or stalls.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Retailers: Decide whether to report; provide CCTV and store security. Many thefts are never reported, so recorded numbers track reporting as well as offending.
- Business crime reduction partnerships: Share information about repeat offenders between shops and the police.
- Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Decide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.
How to report it
Usually the shop reports it to the police online or on 101; 999 if staff are threatened.
Reading the trend: Recorded shoplifting depends heavily on whether shops report it. Retailer and police campaigns to increase reporting can raise the numbers without any change in how much theft happens.
Other theftThefts that do not fit anywhere else: things taken from gardens, sheds or workplaces, or not paying for fuel or a meal.
For example
- Driving off from a petrol station without paying
- An employee stealing from their employer
- Parcels stolen from a doorstep, or tools from a shed or building site
- Blackmail
Not counted here
- Fraud and scams are not in police.uk at all; they go to Report Fraud
Official definition: “Includes theft by an employee, blackmail and making off without payment.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Employers and retailers: Report workplace theft; many small thefts are never reported.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form.
Reading the trend: Before May 2013 this category also included bicycle theft and theft from the person. The series here starts in May 2013 so it compares like with like.
BurglaryGoing into a home, shed, garage, shop or other building without permission to steal, or to cause damage or harm.
For example
- A break-in at a house or flat, whether or not anything is taken
- Theft from a garage or shed that belongs to a home
- A break-in at a shop, school or office
- Aggravated burglary: breaking in while carrying a weapon
Not counted here
- Theft by someone who was invited in (for example a visitor) is "other theft", not burglary
Official definition: “Includes offences where a person enters a house or other building with the intention of stealing.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records and investigates; since October 2022 every force in England and Wales has committed to attend every home burglary.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Decide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.
- Victim services: Support for victims and help with lock-changing and security.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form. Call 999 if the burglar may still be there.
Vehicle crimeStealing a vehicle, stealing things from inside one, or tampering with it.
For example
- A stolen car, van or motorbike
- A laptop or bag taken from a parked car
- Catalytic converter theft
- Trying car door handles to find unlocked vehicles
Not counted here
- Bicycles have their own category
- Damaging a car without stealing anything is criminal damage
Official definition: “Includes theft from or of a vehicle or interference with a vehicle.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- DVLA and insurers: Vehicle records and theft markers; insurers usually need a crime reference number.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form.
Public orderThreatening or abusive behaviour in public that frightens or distresses people, including hate-motivated abuse.
For example
- Shouting threats or abuse at someone in the street
- A fight in public that makes others fear for their safety (affray)
- Racially or religiously aggravated abuse
- Breaching a court order, such as a criminal behaviour order
Not counted here
- If someone is actually assaulted, it is recorded as violence
Official definition: “Includes offences which cause fear, alarm or distress.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Council licensing: Can review or revoke the licence of venues linked to disorder.
- Community safety partnership (council, police, fire, health, probation): Legal duty to agree a local plan to reduce crime and disorder, based on a yearly strategic assessment.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form. Hate crime can also be reported through True Vision (report-it.org.uk).
Reading the trend: Before May 2013 police.uk combined this with possession of weapons as "Public disorder and weapons". Separate series start in May 2013.
DrugsHaving, selling or growing illegal drugs. Most drug offences are found by the police, for example in stop and search, rather than reported by victims.
For example
- Being caught with cannabis or cocaine for personal use
- Dealing drugs, including "county lines" supply
- A cannabis factory in a house
Not counted here
- Drug-driving is a motoring offence and is not in police.uk
Official definition: “Includes offences related to possession, supply and production.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units: Large-scale trafficking and organised supply networks.
- Council public health: Commissions drug and alcohol treatment services.
How to report it
101 or online; anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reading the trend: The count mostly reflects how hard police look (stop and search, operations), so a rise can mean more enforcement rather than more drugs.
Other crimeCrimes that do not fit the other 13 categories.
For example
- Forging a document or a drug prescription
- Lying under oath in court (perjury)
- Escaping from lawful custody
Not counted here
- Fraud is not in police.uk
Official definition: “Includes forgery, perjury and other miscellaneous crime.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Decide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form.
Possession of weaponsCarrying a knife, gun or other weapon without a good reason, whether or not it is used.
For example
- Carrying a knife or bladed article in a public place or at school
- Having an offensive weapon such as a knuckleduster
- Having an illegal firearm, or an imitation one in public
Not counted here
- If a weapon is used to hurt or threaten someone, the offence is violence or robbery
Official definition: “Includes possession of a weapon, such as a firearm or knife.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Violence reduction unit (where one exists) and schools: Prevention and diversion work with young people.
- Community safety partnership (council, police, fire, health, probation): Legal duty to agree a local plan to reduce crime and disorder, based on a yearly strategic assessment.
How to report it
999 if someone is carrying a weapon now; otherwise 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Young people can use Fearless.org.
Reading the trend: Like drugs, most weapons offences are found by police activity such as stop and search. Separate series start in May 2013.
RobberyStealing from someone using force or the threat of force: a mugging or a hold-up.
For example
- A phone snatched with a threat or a shove
- A street mugging
- An armed hold-up at a shop
Not counted here
- A phone taken from a pocket with no force or threat is "theft from the person"
Official definition: “Includes offences where a person uses force or threat of force to steal.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
- Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Decide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form.
Theft from the personPickpocketing and snatch thefts where no force or threat is used.
For example
- A wallet pickpocketed in a crowd
- A phone snatched from someone's hand by a passing cyclist, with no threat
Not counted here
- Any force or threat makes it robbery
Official definition: “Includes crimes that involve theft directly from the victim (including handbag, wallet, cash, mobile phones) but without the use or threat of physical force.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Decides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court.
How to report it
999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger; otherwise 101 or your force's online reporting form.
Reading the trend: Counted inside "other theft" until May 2013; separate series start then.
Bicycle theftStealing a bicycle, or riding off on one without permission.
For example
- A locked bike stolen from a rack
- A bike taken from a front garden
Not counted here
- E-scooters and motorbikes are vehicle crime
Official definition: “Includes the taking without consent or theft of a pedal cycle.”
Who deals with it
Local police force: Records the crime, investigates and gathers evidence; charges some lower-level offences itself.
- Council, landlords and transport operators: Secure cycle parking; registering frame numbers helps police return recovered bikes.
How to report it
Online or on 101.
Reading the trend: Counted inside "other theft" until May 2013; separate series start then. Many bike thefts are never reported.
What these figures leave out
Fraud and computer misuse
Reported to a national centre, not to local forces, so it is not mapped to a street. The Crime Survey estimates it is now the most common crime people experience.
Report Fraud (run by City of London Police), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025: Takes reports and passes cases with leads to local forces and the National Crime Agency.
Report: reportfraud.police.uk
Crime on the railway
Recorded by British Transport Police. Its records are left out here to match ONS local authority tables.
British Transport Police: Polices the rail network.
Report: Text 61016, or 999 in an emergency
Fly-tipping, noise and most environmental nuisance
Reported to councils, not the police.
Local council: Investigates, fines and prosecutes fly-tipping; deals with statutory noise nuisance.
Report: Your council's online reporting form
Crime that is never reported
Police numbers only count what is reported and recorded. The Crime Survey for England and Wales asks households directly and is the better guide to national trends.
Office for National Statistics: Runs the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
Who holds the levers
Recording and investigating crime is the local force’s job, but the things that shape how much crime is dealt with sit with several bodies.
- Home OfficePolice funding, officer numbers nationally, and crime-recording rules (the Home Office Counting Rules)
- Police and Crime CommissionerSets local policing priorities and the force budget; holds the Chief Constable to account
- Chief ConstableRuns the force day to day: where officers go and what they prioritise
- Community safety partnership (council, police, fire, health, probation)Legal duty to agree a local plan to reduce crime and disorder, based on a yearly strategic assessment
- Crown Prosecution ServiceDecides whether to charge in more serious cases and prosecutes in court
- Magistrates' and Crown CourtsDecide guilt and sentence, within limits set by Parliament and the Sentencing Council
- Ministry of JusticeCourts, prisons, probation and sentencing law
▸How these figures are built
Source.The police.uk street-level archives: one record per crime or anti-social behaviour incident, with its month, category and an anonymised map point. Records are counted by month and assigned to today’s local authority (April 2023 boundaries) through their neighbourhood (LSOA) code, so series run straight through the 2019–2023 district mergers. Built by scripts/crime/build-police-uk.py; nothing on this page is typed in by hand.
Left out. British Transport Police records; fraud (not published on police.uk); records with no location. Police.uk also cannot show crime that is never reported. For national trends the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the crime overview is the better guide.
Missing months. When a force published no data for a month, or under 40% of its usual volume, that month is blank for every area it polices, never zero. The largest gap: Greater Manchester Police has published nothing to police.uk since June 2019, so its ten boroughs stop there. England rates for affected months are calculated over the population actually covered.
Category changes.In May 2013 police.uk split “violent crime” into “violence and sexual offences” (joined up here as one series), “public disorder and weapons” into public order and possession of weapons, and took bicycle theft and theft from the person out of “other theft”. Those four series start in May 2013. Recording rules also tightened after 2014, which pushed violence and public order up without any matching rise in the Crime Survey.
Rates. Per 1,000 residents, using the ONS mid-year estimate for each year (ONS mid-year population estimates by local authority, 2011-2025 (Nomis NM_2002_1)). City-centre areas have high rates partly because offences happen where people shop, work and go out, not only where residents live. Ward rates (Portsmouth and Southampton) use Census 2021 populations and December 2025 ward boundaries for all years.
Outcomes. The latest outcome police.uk shows for each crime, for crimes 12 to 24 months old, because newer crimes are mostly still under investigation. Groups: charged or summonsed, dealt with out of court, suspect found, no prosecution, no suspect identified, still under investigation, other.
Cross-check against official statistics (recorded crime per 1,000 residents, April 2025 to March 2026):
| Area | police.uk (this page) | ONS |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 110.4 | 112.7 |
| Southampton | 116.1 | 120.1 |
| England | 80.8 | 83.4 |
Police.uk runs slightly lower because records with no location are dropped. The two agree on direction and ranking.