Crime in West Lindsey: statistics, rates and trends

8,235 crimes were recorded in West Lindsey in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,993 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Lindsey has the 168th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in West Lindsey was highest in the year to July 2026 (8,235 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (6,897). Over the whole period it rose 19%, 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 West Lindsey 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+48%) and shoplifting (+28%). The largest falls were in burglary (-17%) and drugs (-15%).

Violence and sexual offences in West Lindsey

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Lindsey recorded 2,993 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 36.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in West Lindsey

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Lindsey recorded 1,837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 22.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in West Lindsey

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Lindsey recorded 764 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in West Lindsey

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Lindsey recorded 702 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in West Lindsey

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Lindsey recorded 421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in West Lindsey

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Lindsey recorded 394 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in West Lindsey

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Lindsey recorded 336 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 17% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in West Lindsey

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Lindsey recorded 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in West Lindsey

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Lindsey recorded 237 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in West Lindsey

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Lindsey recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in West Lindsey

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Lindsey recorded 59 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 48% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in West Lindsey

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Lindsey recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in West Lindsey

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Lindsey recorded 30 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 down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in West Lindsey

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Lindsey recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 73% on the year before. It made up 0.0% of all crime in the area.

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

42 areas within West Lindsey, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Gainsborough South-West had the highest rate (371.3 per 1,000) and Sudbrooke the lowest (12.0). 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 West Lindsey over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Lindsey 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.

West Lindsey has an estimated population of 99,208. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Lindsey sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. 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 West Lindsey. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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