Crime in Knowsley district: statistics, rates and trends

15,048 crimes were recorded in Knowsley district in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.6 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 6,111 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Knowsley district has the 123rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Knowsley district was highest in the year to July 2021 (18,119 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (15,048). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 Knowsley 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, public order, drugs. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+19%) and robbery (+17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Knowsley district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Knowsley district recorded 6,111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 40.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Knowsley district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Knowsley district recorded 1,865 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 12.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Knowsley district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Knowsley district recorded 1,435 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Knowsley district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Knowsley district recorded 1,375 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Knowsley district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Knowsley district recorded 1,324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Knowsley district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Knowsley district recorded 834 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Knowsley district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Knowsley district recorded 726 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Knowsley district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Knowsley district recorded 378 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Knowsley district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Knowsley district recorded 355 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Knowsley district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Knowsley district recorded 296 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Knowsley district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Knowsley district recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Knowsley district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Knowsley district recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Knowsley district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Knowsley district recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Knowsley district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Knowsley district recorded 29 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 up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

20 areas within Knowsley district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Northwood had the highest rate (176.0 per 1,000) and Swanside the lowest (25.9). 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 Knowsley district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Knowsley 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.

Knowsley district has an estimated population of 162,565. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Knowsley district sits in decile 3.4, 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 Knowsley district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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