Crime in Barnsley district: statistics, rates and trends

26,917 crimes were recorded in Barnsley district in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,711 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Barnsley district has the 83rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Barnsley district was highest in the year to July 2018 (31,362 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (26,917). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 Barnsley district 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 criminal damage and arson, burglary, other crime.

The largest increases were in drugs (+11%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-24%) and public order (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Barnsley district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barnsley district recorded 9,711 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 36.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Barnsley district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barnsley district recorded 4,399 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 16.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Barnsley district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barnsley district recorded 2,510 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Barnsley district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barnsley district recorded 1,947 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Barnsley district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barnsley district recorded 1,800 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Barnsley district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barnsley district recorded 1,426 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Barnsley district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barnsley district recorded 1,420 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Barnsley district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barnsley district recorded 1,376 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Barnsley district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barnsley district recorded 965 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Barnsley district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barnsley district recorded 681 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Barnsley district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barnsley district recorded 283 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Barnsley district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barnsley district recorded 247 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Barnsley district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barnsley district recorded 81 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 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Barnsley district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barnsley district recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

49 areas within Barnsley district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kingstone had the highest rate (271.5 per 1,000) and Oxspring the lowest (37.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Barnsley district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barnsley district 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.

Barnsley district has an estimated population of 251,770. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barnsley district sits in decile 3.9, more 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 Barnsley district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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