Crime in South Kesteven: statistics, rates and trends

10,867 crimes were recorded in South Kesteven in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,804 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, South Kesteven has the 204th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Kesteven was highest in the year to July 2020 (11,709 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (9,613). Over the whole period it rose 13%, 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 South 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 robbery (+70%) and possession of weapons (+36%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-48%) and drugs (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Kesteven

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Kesteven recorded 3,804 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 35.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Kesteven

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Kesteven recorded 2,460 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 22.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Kesteven

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Kesteven recorded 961 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Kesteven

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Kesteven recorded 823 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Kesteven

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Kesteven recorded 698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Kesteven

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Kesteven recorded 576 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Kesteven

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Kesteven recorded 480 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Kesteven

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Kesteven recorded 353 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Kesteven

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Kesteven recorded 321 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 up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Kesteven

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Kesteven recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Kesteven

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Kesteven recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Kesteven

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Kesteven recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Kesteven

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Kesteven recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Kesteven

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Kesteven recorded 11 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 down 48% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

52 areas within South Kesteven, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Grantham St Wulfram's had the highest rate (221.4 per 1,000) and Langtoft (South Kesteven) the lowest (23.8). 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 South Kesteven over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South 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.

South Kesteven has an estimated population of 147,151. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Kesteven sits in decile 6.7, 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 South Kesteven. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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