Crime in Worcestershire: statistics, rates and trends
48,342 crimes were recorded in Worcestershire in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Worcestershire at a glance
- Crime trends in Worcestershire
- Types of crime in Worcestershire
- Worcestershire compared with nearby counties
- Areas within Worcestershire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Worcestershire
- Population and deprivation in Worcestershire
- Questions about crime in Worcestershire
- About this data
48,342 crimes were recorded in Worcestershire in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 18,648 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Worcestershire has the 12th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Worcestershire | West Midlands | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 48,342 | 577,499 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 77.8 | 93.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 621,360 | 6,187,204 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Worcestershire was highest in the year to July 2018 (62,537 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (48,342). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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 | 48,342 | 77.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 49,733 | 80.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 49,415 | 79.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 55,744 | 89.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 57,761 | 93.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 60,664 | 97.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 60,710 | 97.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 62,252 | 100.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 62,537 | 100.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 4,915 |
| June 2026 | 4,218 |
| May 2026 | 3,694 |
| April 2026 | 3,461 |
| March 2026 | 4,348 |
| February 2026 | 3,648 |
| January 2026 | 3,746 |
| December 2025 | 3,859 |
| November 2025 | 3,843 |
| October 2025 | 4,102 |
| September 2025 | 3,920 |
| August 2025 | 4,588 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Worcestershire 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 (+38%) and drugs (+14%).
The largest falls were in theft from the person (-25%) and vehicle crime (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 18,648 | 30.0 | 0.88 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 6,610 | 10.6 | 0.69 | -20% |
| Shoplifting | 4,781 | 7.7 | 0.93 | -1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 3,830 | 6.2 | 0.91 | +1% |
| Other theft | 3,181 | 5.1 | 0.80 | -1% |
| Public order | 3,079 | 5.0 | 0.75 | -9% |
| Burglary | 2,396 | 3.9 | 1.09 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 2,146 | 3.5 | 0.70 | -20% |
| Other crime | 1,067 | 1.7 | 0.81 | -8% |
| Drugs | 1,046 | 1.7 | 0.51 | +14% |
| Robbery | 543 | 0.9 | 0.65 | +38% |
| Possession of weapons | 517 | 0.8 | 0.86 | -7% |
| Bicycle theft | 324 | 0.5 | 0.63 | -6% |
| Theft from the person | 174 | 0.3 | 0.17 | -25% |
Violence and sexual offences in Worcestershire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Worcestershire recorded 18,648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Worcestershire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Worcestershire recorded 6,610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 13.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Worcestershire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Worcestershire recorded 4,781 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Worcestershire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Worcestershire recorded 3,830 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Worcestershire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Worcestershire recorded 3,181 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Worcestershire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Worcestershire recorded 3,079 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Worcestershire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Worcestershire recorded 2,396 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Worcestershire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Worcestershire recorded 2,146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Worcestershire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Worcestershire recorded 1,067 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Worcestershire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Worcestershire recorded 1,046 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Worcestershire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Worcestershire recorded 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Worcestershire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Worcestershire recorded 517 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Worcestershire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Worcestershire recorded 324 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 down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Worcestershire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Worcestershire recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to Worcestershire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Worcestershire.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Worcestershire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 51,918 | 82.1 | +6% |
| Gloucestershire | 55,492 | 82.9 | +7% |
| Staffordshire | 69,115 | 76.2 | -2% |
| Leicestershire | 50,893 | 68.3 | -12% |
| Oxfordshire | 51,240 | 67.1 | -14% |
| Derbyshire | 66,390 | 80.7 | +4% |
| Nottinghamshire | 73,184 | 85.4 | +10% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | +10% |
6 areas within Worcestershire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Worcester had the highest rate (111.9 per 1,000) and Malvern Hills the lowest (56.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | District | 106,671 | 11,941 | 111.9 |
| Wyre Forest | District | 103,913 | 8,958 | 86.2 |
| Redditch | District | 87,847 | 7,540 | 85.8 |
| Wychavon | District | 138,017 | 9,029 | 65.4 |
| Bromsgrove | District | 101,685 | 6,198 | 61.0 |
| Malvern Hills | District | 83,227 | 4,676 | 56.2 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Worcestershire 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 | 18,668 | 38.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 10,228 | 21.2% |
| Not recorded | 6,610 | 13.7% |
| Under investigation | 6,259 | 12.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 2,310 | 4.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2,143 | 4.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 934 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 396 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 321 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 216 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 152 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 59 | 0.1% |
Worcestershire has an estimated population of 621,360. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Worcestershire sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Worcestershire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.0% |
| Social rented homes | 15.1% |
| Private rented homes | 14.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 4.5% |
Is Worcestershire a safe place to live?
Worcestershire recorded 77.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than 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 Worcestershire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 18,648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (6,610).
Is crime in Worcestershire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Worcestershire was down 3% on the year before: 48,342 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 49,733 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Worcestershire?
Worcestershire is policed by West Mercia. 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 Worcestershire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.