Crime in Boston district: statistics, rates and trends

7,879 crimes were recorded in Boston district in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher 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 2,850 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Boston district has the 69th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Boston district was highest in the year to July 2025 (8,005 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (6,500). Over the whole period it rose 21%, 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 Boston 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, burglary.

The largest increases were in robbery (+63%) and burglary (+29%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-57%) and drugs (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Boston district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Boston district recorded 2,850 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than 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 Boston district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Boston district recorded 1,663 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 21.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Boston district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Boston district recorded 765 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Boston district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Boston district recorded 562 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Boston district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Boston district recorded 436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Boston district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Boston district recorded 371 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Boston district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Boston district recorded 346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Boston district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Boston district recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Boston district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Boston district recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Boston district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Boston district recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Boston district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Boston district recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Boston district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Boston district recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Boston district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Boston district recorded 60 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 up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Boston district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Boston district recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

22 areas within Boston district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Station had the highest rate (340.5 per 1,000) and West the lowest (29.8). 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 Boston district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Boston 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.

Boston district has an estimated population of 71,080. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Boston 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 Boston district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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