Crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield: statistics, rates and trends
2,013 crimes were recorded in Hemsworth, Wakefield in the 12 months to August 2026, 116.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield at a glance
- Crime trends in Hemsworth, Wakefield
- Types of crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield
- Hemsworth, Wakefield compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield
- What happened after crimes were reported in Hemsworth, Wakefield
- Demographics of Hemsworth, Wakefield
- Questions about crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (897), anti-social behaviour (316) and criminal damage and arson (179) made up 69% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 877th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | Hemsworth, Wakefield | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 2,013 | 42,896 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 116.7 | 116.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 17,246 | 367,666 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield of any year here (2,013 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 2%, in line with England and Wales.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 2,013 | 116.7 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 2,211 | 128.2 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 2,173 | 126.0 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 2,448 | 141.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 2,304 | 133.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 2,129 | 123.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 2,195 | 127.3 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 2,017 | 117.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 2,047 | 118.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 172 |
| July 2026 | 186 |
| June 2026 | 158 |
| May 2026 | 178 |
| April 2026 | 140 |
| March 2026 | 176 |
| February 2026 | 144 |
| January 2026 | 178 |
| December 2025 | 141 |
| November 2025 | 154 |
| October 2025 | 208 |
| September 2025 | 178 |
Compared with England and Wales, Hemsworth, Wakefield recorded notably more other crime (2.1 times the national rate), criminal damage and arson (54% above the national rate) and violence and sexual offences (52% above the national rate), and notably less drugs (31% below) and shoplifting (27% below). On the year before, other crime rose from 54 to 78 and drugs rose from 31 to 39, while public order fell from 183 to 107 and burglary fell from 88 to 67.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 897 | 52.0 | 34.2 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 316 | 18.3 | 15.4 | -7% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 179 | 10.4 | 6.7 | -8% |
| Public order | 107 | 6.2 | 6.7 | -42% |
| Shoplifting | 106 | 6.1 | 8.5 | -23% |
| Other theft | 87 | 5.0 | 6.4 | -3% |
| Other crime | 78 | 4.5 | 2.1 | +44% |
| Vehicle crime | 76 | 4.4 | 5.0 | -4% |
| Burglary | 67 | 3.9 | 3.6 | -24% |
| Drugs | 39 | 2.3 | 3.3 | +26% |
| Robbery | 29 | 1.7 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
3 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Hemsworth, Wakefield; the highest is Pontefract North (143.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Crofton, Ryhill and Walton (62.4).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hemsworth, Wakefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,275 | 70.3 | -40% |
| South Elmsall and South Kirkby | 2,248 | 115.7 | -1% |
| Crofton, Ryhill and Walton | 973 | 62.4 | -47% |
| Featherstone | 2,228 | 120.4 | +3% |
| Pontefract South | 1,344 | 86.5 | -26% |
| Wakefield South | 2,158 | 130.5 | +12% |
| Normanton | 1,864 | 101.1 | -13% |
| Pontefract North | 2,894 | 143.1 | +23% |
The 10 locations below account for 25% of the crime recorded in Hemsworth, Wakefield over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Bus/Coach Station” (131).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 131 |
| On or near Bullenshaw Road | 98 |
| On or near Tombridge Crescent | 61 |
| On or near Kinsley Street | 34 |
| On or near Lavender Court | 32 |
| On or near Parking Area | 31 |
| On or near Pear Tree Lane | 29 |
| On or near Waterpark View | 29 |
| On or near Hall Close | 28 |
| On or near Baylee Street | 27 |
Of the 1,697 crimes in Hemsworth, Wakefield with a recorded outcome, 28% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 316 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 712 | 42.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 471 | 27.8% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 199 | 11.7% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 86 | 5.1% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 81 | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 37 | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 34 | 2.0% | 3.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 28 | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 24 | 1.4% | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% | 0.5% |
Hemsworth, Wakefield has an estimated population of 17,246 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more residents with no qualifications (31%, against 18%), more social housing (27%, against 17%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (18%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Hemsworth, Wakefield average decile 2.1 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Hemsworth, Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.3% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 52.5% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.1% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 24.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 18.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 31.0% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 25.4% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.0% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 27.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 14.8% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.1 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 47.1% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Hemsworth, Wakefield a safe place to live?
Hemsworth, Wakefield recorded 116.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 877th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and criminal damage and arson.
What is the most common crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 897 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (316).
Is crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hemsworth, Wakefield was down 9% on the year before: 2,013 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 2,211 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Hemsworth, Wakefield?
About 17,246 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 20% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Hemsworth, Wakefield?
Hemsworth, Wakefield 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.