Crime in Rotherham district: statistics, rates and trends

30,695 crimes were recorded in Rotherham district in the 12 months to July 2026, 111.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,140 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Rotherham district has the 68th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rotherham district was highest in the year to July 2018 (33,793 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (28,858). 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 Rotherham 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 shoplifting, burglary, other crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+57%) and shoplifting (+55%). The largest falls were in drugs (-21%) and theft from the person (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rotherham district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rotherham district recorded 11,140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 36.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rotherham district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rotherham district recorded 5,060 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 16.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rotherham district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rotherham district recorded 3,080 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rotherham district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rotherham district recorded 2,294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rotherham district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rotherham district recorded 2,141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rotherham district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rotherham district recorded 1,641 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rotherham district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rotherham district recorded 1,593 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rotherham district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rotherham district recorded 1,310 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rotherham district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rotherham district recorded 891 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rotherham district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rotherham district recorded 611 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rotherham district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rotherham district recorded 419 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 up 57% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rotherham district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rotherham district recorded 345 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 9% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rotherham district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rotherham district recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rotherham district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rotherham district recorded 80 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 4% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

50 areas within Rotherham district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Boston Castle had the highest rate (287.0 per 1,000) and Thorpe Hesley the lowest (36.7). 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 Rotherham district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rotherham 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.

Rotherham district has an estimated population of 276,595. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rotherham district sits in decile 4.3, 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 Rotherham district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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