Crime in England: statistics, rates and trends
5,360,756 crimes were recorded in England in the 12 months to July 2026, 96.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Note: Greater Manchester Police has published almost no street-level crime data since mid-2019, so Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan are not included in these figures.
5,360,756 crimes were recorded in England in the 12 months to July 2026, 96.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,893,847 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 2 countries covered by this site, England has the 1st highest crime rate.
| Measure | England | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,360,756 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 55,610,437 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in England was highest in the year to July 2021 (5,677,071 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,360,756). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 | 5,360,756 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,407,166 | 97.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,442,415 | 97.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 5,648,769 | 101.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,677,071 | 102.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,667,222 | 101.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,655,447 | 101.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,610,169 | 100.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 497,057 |
| June 2026 | 468,195 |
| May 2026 | 466,759 |
| April 2026 | 440,149 |
| March 2026 | 447,255 |
| February 2026 | 387,871 |
| January 2026 | 401,719 |
| December 2025 | 416,348 |
| November 2025 | 431,958 |
| October 2025 | 457,011 |
| September 2025 | 439,644 |
| August 2025 | 473,873 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in England 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 falls were in theft from the person (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,893,847 | 34.1 | 0.99 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 853,322 | 15.3 | 1.00 | -2% |
| Shoplifting | 463,936 | 8.3 | 1.01 | +0% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 372,957 | 6.7 | 0.99 | -4% |
| Public order | 361,183 | 6.5 | 0.98 | -2% |
| Other theft | 360,198 | 6.5 | 1.01 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 278,421 | 5.0 | 1.02 | -5% |
| Burglary | 199,398 | 3.6 | 1.01 | -4% |
| Drugs | 183,883 | 3.3 | 1.01 | +2% |
| Other crime | 116,914 | 2.1 | 1.00 | -0% |
| Theft from the person | 98,216 | 1.8 | 1.05 | -19% |
| Robbery | 77,640 | 1.4 | 1.03 | +9% |
| Possession of weapons | 54,148 | 1.0 | 1.00 | +9% |
| Bicycle theft | 46,691 | 0.8 | 1.02 | -4% |
Violence and sexual offences in England
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. England recorded 1,893,847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 35.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in England
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. England recorded 853,322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 15.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in England
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. England recorded 463,936 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in England
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. England recorded 372,957 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in England
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. England recorded 361,183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in England
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. England recorded 360,198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in England
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. England recorded 278,421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in England
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. England recorded 199,398 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in England
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. England recorded 183,883 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in England
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. England recorded 116,914 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in England
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. England recorded 98,216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in England
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. England recorded 77,640 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in England
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. England recorded 54,148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in England
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. England recorded 46,691 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 4% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the countries closest to England, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to England.
| Country | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | 304,944 | 95.7 | -1% |
9 areas within England, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. London had the highest rate (124.4 per 1,000) and East of England the lowest (80.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | Region | 9,089,736 | 1,130,928 | 124.4 |
| North East | Region | 2,760,678 | 319,718 | 115.8 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | Region | 5,672,962 | 614,693 | 108.4 |
| East Midlands | Region | 5,063,164 | 473,524 | 93.5 |
| North West | Region | 4,727,750 | 442,012 | 93.5 |
| West Midlands | Region | 6,187,204 | 577,499 | 93.3 |
| South West | Region | 5,889,695 | 491,906 | 83.5 |
| South East | Region | 9,642,942 | 784,242 | 81.3 |
| East of England | Region | 6,576,306 | 526,234 | 80.0 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in England 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,603,604 | 30.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,536,122 | 28.8% |
| Not recorded | 846,398 | 15.9% |
| Under investigation | 504,815 | 9.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 234,457 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 217,053 | 4.1% |
| Local resolution | 137,084 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 107,578 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 57,402 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 28,224 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 22,943 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 14,513 | 0.3% |
England has an estimated population of 55,610,437. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in England sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | England |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.3% |
| Social rented homes | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 20.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.1% |
Is England a safe place to live?
England recorded 96.4 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 England?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,893,847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (853,322).
Is crime in England going up or down?
Recorded crime in England was almost unchanged on the year before: 5,360,756 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,407,166 in the previous 12 months.
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 England. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.