Crime in Leicestershire: statistics, rates and trends

50,893 crimes were recorded in Leicestershire in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 18,234 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Leicestershire has the 17th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Leicestershire was highest in the year to July 2023 (55,980 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (47,697). Over the whole period it rose 3%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Leicestershire over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in robbery (+17%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Leicestershire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leicestershire recorded 18,234 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 35.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Leicestershire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leicestershire recorded 7,414 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Leicestershire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leicestershire recorded 4,730 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Leicestershire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leicestershire recorded 4,409 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Leicestershire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leicestershire recorded 3,889 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Leicestershire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leicestershire recorded 3,352 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Leicestershire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leicestershire recorded 2,775 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Leicestershire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leicestershire recorded 2,552 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Leicestershire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leicestershire recorded 1,210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Leicestershire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leicestershire recorded 1,044 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Leicestershire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leicestershire recorded 377 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Leicestershire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leicestershire recorded 350 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Leicestershire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leicestershire recorded 287 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Leicestershire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leicestershire recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the counties closest to Leicestershire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Leicestershire.

7 areas within Leicestershire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Charnwood had the highest rate (80.2 per 1,000) and Harborough the lowest (50.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leicestershire over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Leicestershire has an estimated population of 745,573. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leicestershire sits in decile 7.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Leicestershire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.