Crime in Sandwell: statistics, rates and trends

36,124 crimes were recorded in Sandwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 102.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 15,991 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Sandwell has the 93rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sandwell was highest in the year to July 2022 (43,845 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (33,023). Over the whole period it rose 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 Sandwell 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, vehicle crime, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in drugs (+32%) and possession of weapons (+11%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-54%) and robbery (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sandwell

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sandwell recorded 15,991 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 44.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sandwell

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sandwell recorded 3,379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sandwell

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sandwell recorded 3,149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sandwell

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sandwell recorded 2,829 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sandwell

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sandwell recorded 2,249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sandwell

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sandwell recorded 2,077 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sandwell

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sandwell recorded 1,360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 54% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sandwell

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sandwell recorded 1,341 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sandwell

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sandwell recorded 1,205 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sandwell

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sandwell recorded 801 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sandwell

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sandwell recorded 781 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sandwell

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sandwell recorded 616 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sandwell

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sandwell recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sandwell

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sandwell recorded 120 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 10% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

32 areas within Sandwell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. West Bromwich Central had the highest rate (203.2 per 1,000) and Great Barr with Yew Tree the lowest (64.3). 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 Sandwell over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sandwell 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.

Sandwell has an estimated population of 353,860. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sandwell 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 Sandwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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