Crime in North Kesteven: statistics, rates and trends

6,666 crimes were recorded in North Kesteven in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,593 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, North Kesteven has the 284th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in North Kesteven was highest in the year to July 2020 (6,920 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (5,229). Over the whole period it rose 27%, 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 North Kesteven 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. The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+65%) and possession of weapons (+42%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in North Kesteven

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. North Kesteven recorded 2,593 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in North Kesteven

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. North Kesteven recorded 1,573 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in North Kesteven

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. North Kesteven recorded 470 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in North Kesteven

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. North Kesteven recorded 399 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in North Kesteven

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. North Kesteven recorded 389 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in North Kesteven

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. North Kesteven recorded 370 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in North Kesteven

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. North Kesteven recorded 250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in North Kesteven

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. North Kesteven recorded 215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in North Kesteven

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. North Kesteven recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in North Kesteven

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. North Kesteven recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in North Kesteven

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. North Kesteven recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in North Kesteven

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. North Kesteven recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 65% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in North Kesteven

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. North Kesteven recorded 30 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 up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in North Kesteven

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. North Kesteven recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

48 areas within North Kesteven, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Sleaford Westholme had the highest rate (155.0 per 1,000) and Ashby de la Launde the lowest (20.7). 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 North Kesteven over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in North Kesteven 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.

North Kesteven has an estimated population of 122,468. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in North Kesteven sits in decile 7.1, less 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 North Kesteven. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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