Crime in Handsworth Wood: statistics, rates and trends

1,678 crimes were recorded in Handsworth Wood in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 870 reports (52% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Handsworth Wood has the 1,785th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Handsworth Wood was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,180 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (1,510). Over the whole period it rose 8%, 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 Wood 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 vehicle crime, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+44%) and drugs (+15%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-60%) and burglary (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Handsworth Wood

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Handsworth Wood recorded 870 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 51.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Handsworth Wood

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Handsworth Wood recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Handsworth Wood

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Handsworth Wood recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Handsworth Wood

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Handsworth Wood recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Handsworth Wood

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Handsworth Wood recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Handsworth Wood

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Handsworth Wood recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Handsworth Wood

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Handsworth Wood recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Handsworth Wood

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Handsworth Wood recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Handsworth Wood

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Handsworth Wood recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Handsworth Wood

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Handsworth Wood recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Handsworth Wood

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Handsworth Wood recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Handsworth Wood

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Handsworth Wood recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Handsworth Wood

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Handsworth Wood recorded 12 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Handsworth Wood

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Handsworth Wood recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Wood over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Handsworth Wood 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 Wood has an estimated population of 20,489. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Handsworth Wood sits in decile 3.6, 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 Wood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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