Crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw: statistics, rates and trends
1,524 crimes were recorded in Birstall and Birkenshaw in the 12 months to August 2026, 84.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw at a glance
- Crime trends in Birstall and Birkenshaw
- Types of crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw
- Birstall and Birkenshaw compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw
- What happened after crimes were reported in Birstall and Birkenshaw
- Demographics of Birstall and Birkenshaw
- Questions about crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (567), anti-social behaviour (245) and criminal damage and arson (120) made up 61% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,675th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Birstall and Birkenshaw | Kirklees | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,524 | 43,862 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 84.9 | 97.9 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 17,956 | 447,847 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw of any year here (1,524 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 29%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,524 | 84.9 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,612 | 89.8 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,868 | 104.0 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 2,050 | 114.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 2,059 | 114.7 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 2,028 | 112.9 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 2,326 | 129.5 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 2,567 | 143.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 2,150 | 119.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 152 |
| July 2026 | 135 |
| June 2026 | 154 |
| May 2026 | 155 |
| April 2026 | 141 |
| March 2026 | 123 |
| February 2026 | 115 |
| January 2026 | 97 |
| December 2025 | 93 |
| November 2025 | 121 |
| October 2025 | 120 |
| September 2025 | 118 |
Compared with England and Wales, Birstall and Birkenshaw recorded notably more other crime (82% above the national rate), vehicle crime (33% above the national rate) and burglary (33% above the national rate), and notably less shoplifting (75% below) and drugs (44% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 176 to 245 and vehicle crime rose from 101 to 119, while shoplifting fell from 55 to 38 and burglary fell from 112 to 85.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 567 | 31.6 | 34.2 | -16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 245 | 13.6 | 15.4 | +39% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 120 | 6.7 | 6.7 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 119 | 6.6 | 5.0 | +18% |
| Public order | 111 | 6.2 | 6.7 | -18% |
| Other theft | 109 | 6.1 | 6.4 | +3% |
| Burglary | 85 | 4.7 | 3.6 | -24% |
| Other crime | 69 | 3.8 | 2.1 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 38 | 2.1 | 8.5 | -31% |
| Drugs | 33 | 1.8 | 3.3 | -15% |
| Robbery | 11 | 0.6 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Birstall and Birkenshaw; the highest is Dewsbury East (162.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Mirfield, Kirklees (82.7).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Birstall and Birkenshaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liversedge and Gomersal | 1,932 | 97.4 | +15% |
| Batley West | 2,841 | 128.2 | +51% |
| Heckmondwike | 1,807 | 96.2 | +13% |
| Cleckheaton | 1,949 | 111.6 | +31% |
| Batley East | 1,450 | 91.3 | +8% |
| Dewsbury West | 2,700 | 117.8 | +39% |
| Dewsbury East | 3,534 | 162.1 | +91% |
| Mirfield | 1,668 | 82.7 | -3% |
The 10 locations below account for 23% of the crime recorded in Birstall and Birkenshaw over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “White Horse Close” (64).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near White Horse Close | 64 |
| On or near Lowood Lane | 55 |
| On or near Corfe Close | 31 |
| On or near Priestley Square | 30 |
| On or near Aldersyde | 29 |
| On or near Briarmains Road | 29 |
| On or near Parking Area | 28 |
| On or near Selene Close | 27 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 25 |
| On or near Supermarket | 25 |
Of the 1,279 crimes in Birstall and Birkenshaw with a recorded outcome, 35% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 245 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 464 | 36.3% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 452 | 35.3% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 177 | 13.8% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 61 | 4.8% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 33 | 2.6% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 26 | 2.0% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 21 | 1.6% | 2.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 19 | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 16 | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.5% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 2 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
Birstall and Birkenshaw has an estimated population of 17,956 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer students (4.8%, against 7.9%), less private renting (15%, against 20%) and fewer households without a car (18%, against 23%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Birstall and Birkenshaw average decile 6.2 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Birstall and Birkenshaw | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.7% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 60.5% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 24.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.8% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 28.9% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 18.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 18.1% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.8% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.0% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.2 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.8% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Birstall and Birkenshaw a safe place to live?
Birstall and Birkenshaw recorded 84.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,675th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and vehicle crime.
What is the most common crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 567 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (245).
Is crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw going up or down?
Recorded crime in Birstall and Birkenshaw was down 5% on the year before: 1,524 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,612 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Birstall and Birkenshaw?
About 17,956 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 21% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Birstall and Birkenshaw?
Birstall and Birkenshaw is policed by West Yorkshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.