Crime in West Northamptonshire: statistics, rates and trends

40,681 crimes were recorded in West Northamptonshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 13,645 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Northamptonshire has the 124th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in West Northamptonshire was highest in the year to July 2020 (45,015 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (39,412). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 Northamptonshire 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 anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in robbery (+40%) and anti-social behaviour (+24%). The largest falls were in drugs (-27%) and possession of weapons (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in West Northamptonshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Northamptonshire recorded 13,645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 33.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in West Northamptonshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Northamptonshire recorded 9,385 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in West Northamptonshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Northamptonshire recorded 3,107 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in West Northamptonshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Northamptonshire recorded 2,465 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in West Northamptonshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Northamptonshire recorded 2,376 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in West Northamptonshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Northamptonshire recorded 2,325 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in West Northamptonshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Northamptonshire recorded 2,247 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in West Northamptonshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Northamptonshire recorded 1,674 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in West Northamptonshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Northamptonshire recorded 1,162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in West Northamptonshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Northamptonshire recorded 718 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 down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in West Northamptonshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Northamptonshire recorded 687 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in West Northamptonshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Northamptonshire recorded 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in West Northamptonshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Northamptonshire recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in West Northamptonshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Northamptonshire recorded 145 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 5% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

76 areas within West Northamptonshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (328.7 per 1,000) and Greens Norton the lowest (25.8). 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 West Northamptonshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Northamptonshire 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 Northamptonshire has an estimated population of 439,811. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Northamptonshire sits in decile 6.3, 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 Northamptonshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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