Crime in Leicester district: statistics, rates and trends

47,587 crimes were recorded in Leicester district in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 17,004 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Leicester district has the 47th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Leicester district was highest in the year to July 2022 (52,010 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (45,690). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 Leicester 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.

The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-28%) and vehicle crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Leicester district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leicester district recorded 17,004 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Leicester district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leicester district recorded 6,387 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Leicester district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leicester district recorded 4,923 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Leicester district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leicester district recorded 4,358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Leicester district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leicester district recorded 3,437 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Leicester district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leicester district recorded 2,996 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Leicester district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leicester district recorded 2,229 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Leicester district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leicester district recorded 1,812 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Leicester district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leicester district recorded 1,519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Leicester district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leicester district recorded 771 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 23% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Leicester district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leicester district recorded 600 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Leicester district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leicester district recorded 590 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Leicester district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leicester district recorded 491 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 6% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Leicester district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leicester district recorded 470 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 down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

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

22 areas within Leicester district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (442.3 per 1,000) and Spinney Hills the lowest (50.8). 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 Leicester district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leicester 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.

Leicester district has an estimated population of 388,348. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leicester district sits in decile 3.0, 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 Leicester district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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