Crime in Altofts and Whitwood: statistics, rates and trends
1,450 crimes were recorded in Altofts and Whitwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Altofts and Whitwood at a glance
- Crime trends in Altofts and Whitwood
- Types of crime in Altofts and Whitwood
- Altofts and Whitwood compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Altofts and Whitwood
- What happened after crimes were reported in Altofts and Whitwood
- Population and deprivation in Altofts and Whitwood
- Questions about crime in Altofts and Whitwood
- About this data
1,450 crimes were recorded in Altofts and Whitwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 647 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Altofts and Whitwood has the 1,918th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Altofts and Whitwood | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,450 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 78.1 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 18,569 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Altofts and Whitwood was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,616 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,450). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,450 | 78.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,562 | 84.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,491 | 80.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,593 | 85.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,602 | 86.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,616 | 87.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,567 | 84.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,528 | 82.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,500 | 80.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 140 |
| June 2026 | 156 |
| May 2026 | 140 |
| April 2026 | 111 |
| March 2026 | 147 |
| February 2026 | 98 |
| January 2026 | 103 |
| December 2025 | 115 |
| November 2025 | 99 |
| October 2025 | 112 |
| September 2025 | 119 |
| August 2025 | 110 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Altofts and Whitwood 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 shoplifting (+59%) and criminal damage and arson (+31%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-23%) and burglary (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 647 | 34.8 | 1.02 | -15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 145 | 7.8 | 0.51 | +7% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 126 | 6.8 | 1.00 | +31% |
| Vehicle crime | 110 | 5.9 | 1.20 | -23% |
| Public order | 103 | 5.5 | 0.83 | -13% |
| Other theft | 86 | 4.6 | 0.72 | -9% |
| Shoplifting | 70 | 3.8 | 0.46 | +59% |
| Burglary | 56 | 3.0 | 0.85 | -19% |
| Other crime | 45 | 2.4 | 1.15 | +7% |
| Drugs | 26 | 1.4 | 0.43 | -13% |
| Robbery | 16 | 0.9 | 0.64 | +7% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.4 | 0.44 | -11% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.4 | 0.26 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.2 | 0.26 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Altofts and Whitwood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Altofts and Whitwood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Altofts and Whitwood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Altofts and Whitwood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 110 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 23% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Altofts and Whitwood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Altofts and Whitwood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Altofts and Whitwood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Altofts and Whitwood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Altofts and Whitwood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Altofts and Whitwood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Altofts and Whitwood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Altofts and Whitwood
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Altofts and Whitwood
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Altofts and Whitwood
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Altofts and Whitwood recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Altofts and Whitwood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Altofts and Whitwood.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Altofts and Whitwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normanton | 1,880 | 102.0 | +31% |
| Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | 3,549 | 198.3 | +154% |
| Featherstone | 2,288 | 123.6 | +58% |
| Airedale and Ferry Fryston | 2,222 | 127.8 | +64% |
| Pontefract North | 2,887 | 142.7 | +83% |
| Stanley and Outwood East | 1,581 | 76.9 | -2% |
| Pontefract South | 1,354 | 87.1 | +12% |
| Wakefield East | 3,891 | 227.8 | +192% |
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 Altofts and Whitwood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 89 |
| On or near Gannet Close | 74 |
| On or near Bryan Close | 68 |
| On or near Epsom Close | 40 |
| On or near Montrose Gardens | 28 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 27 |
| On or near Blenheim Way | 24 |
| On or near Maple Close | 24 |
| On or near Albion Street | 23 |
| On or near Cutsyke Crest | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Altofts and Whitwood 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 523 | 36.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 440 | 30.3% |
| Under investigation | 147 | 10.1% |
| Not recorded | 145 | 10.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 65 | 4.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 48 | 3.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 22 | 1.5% |
| Local resolution | 17 | 1.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Altofts and Whitwood has an estimated population of 18,569. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Altofts and Whitwood sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Altofts and Whitwood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.7% |
| Social rented homes | 17.3% |
| Private rented homes | 13.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 9.7% |
Is Altofts and Whitwood a safe place to live?
Altofts and Whitwood recorded 78.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Altofts and Whitwood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (145).
Is crime in Altofts and Whitwood going up or down?
Recorded crime in Altofts and Whitwood was down 7% on the year before: 1,450 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,562 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Altofts and Whitwood?
Altofts and Whitwood is policed by West Yorkshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Altofts and Whitwood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.