Crime in Handforth: statistics, rates and trends
823 crimes were recorded in Handforth in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Handforth at a glance
- Crime trends in Handforth
- Types of crime in Handforth
- Handforth compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Handforth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Handforth
- Population and deprivation in Handforth
- Questions about crime in Handforth
- About this data
823 crimes were recorded in Handforth in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.3 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 294 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Handforth has the 1,618th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Handforth | Cheshire East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 823 | 28,232 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 86.3 | 67.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 9,533 | 421,298 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Handforth was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,321 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (806). Over the whole period it fell 36%, 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 | 823 | 86.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 806 | 84.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 881 | 92.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 956 | 100.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 998 | 104.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,105 | 115.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,276 | 133.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,321 | 138.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,296 | 135.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 91 |
| June 2026 | 79 |
| May 2026 | 82 |
| April 2026 | 66 |
| March 2026 | 69 |
| February 2026 | 64 |
| January 2026 | 65 |
| December 2025 | 60 |
| November 2025 | 60 |
| October 2025 | 68 |
| September 2025 | 66 |
| August 2025 | 53 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Handforth 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 shoplifting, public order, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+55%) and anti-social behaviour (+35%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-45%) and other crime (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 294 | 30.8 | 0.90 | -15% |
| Shoplifting | 110 | 11.5 | 1.39 | +55% |
| Public order | 95 | 10.0 | 1.50 | +12% |
| Other theft | 69 | 7.2 | 1.13 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 65 | 6.8 | 0.44 | +35% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 58 | 6.1 | 0.90 | +7% |
| Burglary | 30 | 3.1 | 0.89 | +7% |
| Drugs | 30 | 3.1 | 0.96 | +67% |
| Other crime | 22 | 2.3 | 1.09 | -19% |
| Vehicle crime | 22 | 2.3 | 0.47 | -45% |
| Bicycle theft | 12 | 1.3 | 1.53 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.6 | 0.37 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.5 | 0.54 | -17% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.5 | 0.39 | -58% |
Violence and sexual offences in Handforth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Handforth recorded 294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Handforth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Handforth recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Handforth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Handforth recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Handforth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Handforth recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Handforth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Handforth recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Handforth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Handforth recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Handforth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Handforth recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Handforth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Handforth recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Handforth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Handforth recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Handforth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Handforth recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Handforth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Handforth recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Handforth
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Handforth recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Handforth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Handforth recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Handforth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Handforth recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Handforth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Handforth.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Handforth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmslow Dean Row | 170 | 25.8 | -70% |
| Wilmslow Lacey Green | 369 | 71.3 | -17% |
| Wilmslow West and Chorley | 614 | 56.0 | -35% |
| Wilmslow East | 87 | 25.7 | -70% |
| Alderley Edge | 305 | 59.6 | -31% |
| Poynton West and Adlington | 345 | 35.2 | -59% |
| Poynton East and Pott Shrigley | 269 | 39.8 | -54% |
| Prestbury | 107 | 31.2 | -64% |
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 Handforth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 108 |
| On or near Parking Area | 41 |
| On or near Plumley Road | 34 |
| On or near Chelford Road | 30 |
| On or near Brooke Drive | 28 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 28 |
| On or near Hampson Crescent | 26 |
| On or near Long Marl Drive | 23 |
| On or near Davenham Road | 19 |
| On or near Peckmill Close | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Handforth 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 | 285 | 34.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 250 | 30.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 71 | 8.6% |
| Under investigation | 67 | 8.1% |
| Not recorded | 65 | 7.9% |
| Local resolution | 37 | 4.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Handforth has an estimated population of 9,533. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Handforth sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Handforth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.1% |
| Social rented homes | 27.6% |
| Private rented homes | 14.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.5 |
Is Handforth a safe place to live?
Handforth recorded 86.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Handforth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (110).
Is crime in Handforth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Handforth was up 2% on the year before: 823 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 806 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Handforth?
Handforth is policed by Cheshire. 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 Handforth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.