Crime in Leeds district: statistics, rates and trends

106,410 crimes were recorded in Leeds district in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 40,400 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Leeds district has the 38th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Leeds district was highest in the year to July 2022 (122,026 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (106,410). Over the whole period it fell 9%, 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 Leeds 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 violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in drugs (+19%) and robbery (+14%). The largest falls were in public order (-13%) and theft from the person (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Leeds district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leeds district recorded 40,400 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 38.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Leeds district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leeds district recorded 10,171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Leeds district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leeds district recorded 9,714 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 8% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Leeds district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leeds district recorded 7,949 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Leeds district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leeds district recorded 7,331 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Leeds district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leeds district recorded 7,216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Leeds district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leeds district recorded 6,002 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Leeds district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leeds district recorded 5,713 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Leeds district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leeds district recorded 3,708 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Leeds district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leeds district recorded 3,174 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 up 3% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Leeds district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leeds district recorded 1,945 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Leeds district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leeds district recorded 1,062 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Leeds district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leeds district recorded 1,055 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Leeds district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leeds district recorded 970 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

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

67 areas within Leeds district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Little London & Woodhouse had the highest rate (348.9 per 1,000) and Pool-in-Wharfedale the lowest (17.8). 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 Leeds district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leeds 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.

Leeds district has an estimated population of 845,189. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leeds district sits in decile 5.3, 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 Leeds district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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