Crime in Lincolnshire: statistics, rates and trends
72,075 crimes were recorded in Lincolnshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lincolnshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Lincolnshire
- Types of crime in Lincolnshire
- Lincolnshire compared with nearby counties
- Areas within Lincolnshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lincolnshire
- Population and deprivation in Lincolnshire
- Questions about crime in Lincolnshire
- About this data
72,075 crimes were recorded in Lincolnshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 26,082 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Lincolnshire has the 2nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lincolnshire | East Midlands | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 72,075 | 473,524 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 91.3 | 93.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 789,502 | 5,063,164 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lincolnshire was highest in the year to July 2020 (74,192 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (62,316). Over the whole period it rose 16%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 72,075 | 91.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 70,243 | 89.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 68,368 | 86.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 67,960 | 86.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 71,607 | 90.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 72,388 | 91.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 74,192 | 94.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 72,351 | 91.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 62,316 | 78.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 7,448 |
| June 2026 | 6,329 |
| May 2026 | 6,282 |
| April 2026 | 6,183 |
| March 2026 | 6,315 |
| February 2026 | 5,187 |
| January 2026 | 5,327 |
| December 2025 | 5,425 |
| November 2025 | 5,640 |
| October 2025 | 5,801 |
| September 2025 | 5,760 |
| August 2025 | 6,378 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lincolnshire 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in robbery (+56%) and vehicle crime (+11%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-34%) and drugs (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 26,082 | 33.0 | 0.96 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 16,343 | 20.7 | 1.35 | +5% |
| Shoplifting | 6,601 | 8.4 | 1.01 | -2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 5,449 | 6.9 | 1.02 | +0% |
| Public order | 4,237 | 5.4 | 0.81 | +4% |
| Other theft | 3,812 | 4.8 | 0.76 | +2% |
| Burglary | 2,474 | 3.1 | 0.89 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 2,302 | 2.9 | 0.59 | +11% |
| Other crime | 1,791 | 2.3 | 1.07 | -6% |
| Drugs | 1,174 | 1.5 | 0.45 | -13% |
| Robbery | 607 | 0.8 | 0.57 | +56% |
| Bicycle theft | 599 | 0.8 | 0.92 | -1% |
| Possession of weapons | 493 | 0.6 | 0.64 | +10% |
| Theft from the person | 111 | 0.1 | 0.08 | -34% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lincolnshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lincolnshire recorded 26,082 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 36.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lincolnshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lincolnshire recorded 16,343 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lincolnshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lincolnshire recorded 6,601 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lincolnshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lincolnshire recorded 5,449 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lincolnshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lincolnshire recorded 4,237 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lincolnshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lincolnshire recorded 3,812 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lincolnshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lincolnshire recorded 2,474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lincolnshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lincolnshire recorded 2,302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lincolnshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lincolnshire recorded 1,791 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lincolnshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lincolnshire recorded 1,174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lincolnshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lincolnshire recorded 607 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lincolnshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lincolnshire recorded 599 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lincolnshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lincolnshire recorded 493 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lincolnshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lincolnshire recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to Lincolnshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lincolnshire.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lincolnshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 73,184 | 85.4 | -6% |
| Leicestershire | 50,893 | 68.3 | -25% |
| Derbyshire | 66,390 | 80.7 | -12% |
| Cambridgeshire | 54,491 | 76.7 | -16% |
| Norfolk | 66,242 | 70.4 | -23% |
| Warwickshire | 51,918 | 82.1 | -10% |
| Staffordshire | 69,115 | 76.2 | -17% |
| Suffolk | 48,709 | 62.0 | -32% |
7 areas within Lincolnshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lincoln had the highest rate (156.4 per 1,000) and North Kesteven the lowest (54.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | District | 105,114 | 16,440 | 156.4 |
| Boston | District | 71,080 | 7,879 | 110.8 |
| East Lindsey | District | 145,183 | 14,146 | 97.4 |
| West Lindsey | District | 99,208 | 8,235 | 83.0 |
| South Holland | District | 99,298 | 7,842 | 79.0 |
| South Kesteven | District | 147,151 | 10,867 | 73.8 |
| North Kesteven | District | 122,468 | 6,666 | 54.4 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lincolnshire 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 23,221 | 32.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 17,187 | 23.8% |
| Not recorded | 16,343 | 22.7% |
| Under investigation | 5,871 | 8.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2,994 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,924 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,475 | 2.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1,114 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 722 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 511 | 0.7% |
| Local resolution | 363 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 319 | 0.4% |
Lincolnshire has an estimated population of 789,502. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lincolnshire sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lincolnshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.2% |
| Social rented homes | 13.3% |
| Private rented homes | 19.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 8.7% |
Is Lincolnshire a safe place to live?
Lincolnshire recorded 91.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Lincolnshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 26,082 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (16,343).
Is crime in Lincolnshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lincolnshire was up 3% on the year before: 72,075 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 70,243 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lincolnshire?
Lincolnshire is policed by Lincolnshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Lincolnshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.