Crime in Denbighshire: statistics, rates and trends

11,075 crimes were recorded in Denbighshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 4,807 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Denbighshire has the 62nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Denbighshire was highest in the year to July 2022 (13,298 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (10,819). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 Denbighshire 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+66%) and possession of weapons (+36%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-54%) and robbery (-31%).

Violence and sexual offences in Denbighshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Denbighshire recorded 4,807 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 43.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Denbighshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Denbighshire recorded 2,070 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 18.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Denbighshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Denbighshire recorded 840 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Denbighshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Denbighshire recorded 829 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Denbighshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Denbighshire recorded 777 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Denbighshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Denbighshire recorded 603 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Denbighshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Denbighshire recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Denbighshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Denbighshire recorded 251 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Denbighshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Denbighshire recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Denbighshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Denbighshire recorded 159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Denbighshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Denbighshire recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Denbighshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Denbighshire recorded 83 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 up 66% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Denbighshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Denbighshire recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Denbighshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Denbighshire recorded 18 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 54% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

39 areas within Denbighshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rhyl West had the highest rate (606.2 per 1,000) and Moel Famau the lowest (23.2). 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 Denbighshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Denbighshire 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.

Denbighshire has an estimated population of 98,202. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Denbighshire sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. 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 Denbighshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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