Crime in Central, Barnsley: statistics, rates and trends

1,932 crimes were recorded in Central, Barnsley in the 12 months to July 2026, 161.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 662 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Central, Barnsley has the 357th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Central, Barnsley was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,712 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,932). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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 Central, Barnsley 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+17%) and anti-social behaviour (+15%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-48%) and shoplifting (-45%).

Violence and sexual offences in Central, Barnsley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Central, Barnsley recorded 662 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Central, Barnsley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Central, Barnsley recorded 277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 14.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Central, Barnsley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Central, Barnsley recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Central, Barnsley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Central, Barnsley recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Central, Barnsley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Central, Barnsley recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Central, Barnsley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Central, Barnsley recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Central, Barnsley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Central, Barnsley recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Central, Barnsley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Central, Barnsley recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Central, Barnsley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Central, Barnsley recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Central, Barnsley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Central, Barnsley recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Central, Barnsley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Central, Barnsley recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Central, Barnsley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Central, Barnsley recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Central, Barnsley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Central, Barnsley recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Central, Barnsley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Central, Barnsley recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Central, Barnsley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Central, Barnsley.

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 Central, Barnsley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Central, Barnsley 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.

Central, Barnsley has an estimated population of 11,979. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Central, Barnsley sits in decile 2.7, more 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 Central, Barnsley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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