Crime in Handsworth: statistics, rates and trends

2,094 crimes were recorded in Handsworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 164.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 971 reports (46% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Handsworth has the 335th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Handsworth was highest in the year to July 2023 (2,481 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,531). Over the whole period it rose 37%, 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 Handsworth 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, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+34%) and drugs (+24%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-55%) and shoplifting (-49%).

Violence and sexual offences in Handsworth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Handsworth recorded 971 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (76.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 46.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Handsworth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Handsworth recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Handsworth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Handsworth recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Handsworth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Handsworth recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Handsworth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Handsworth recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Handsworth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Handsworth recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Handsworth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Handsworth recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Handsworth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Handsworth recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 55% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Handsworth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Handsworth recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Handsworth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Handsworth recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Handsworth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Handsworth recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Handsworth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Handsworth recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Handsworth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Handsworth recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Handsworth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Handsworth recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Handsworth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Handsworth 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.

Handsworth has an estimated population of 12,704. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Handsworth sits in decile 1.0, 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 Handsworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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