Crime in Kells and Sandwith: statistics, rates and trends
1,272 crimes were recorded in Kells and Sandwith in the 12 months to July 2026, 168.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kells and Sandwith at a glance
- Crime trends in Kells and Sandwith
- Types of crime in Kells and Sandwith
- Kells and Sandwith compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kells and Sandwith
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kells and Sandwith
- Population and deprivation in Kells and Sandwith
- Questions about crime in Kells and Sandwith
- About this data
1,272 crimes were recorded in Kells and Sandwith in the 12 months to July 2026, 168.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 667 reports (52% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kells and Sandwith has the 310th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kells and Sandwith | Cumberland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,272 | 22,903 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 168.9 | 81.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,532 | 280,495 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kells and Sandwith was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,534 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,100). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 | 1,272 | 168.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,438 | 190.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,399 | 185.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,390 | 184.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,423 | 188.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,100 | 146.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,421 | 188.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,464 | 194.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,534 | 203.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 98 |
| June 2026 | 117 |
| May 2026 | 104 |
| April 2026 | 125 |
| March 2026 | 85 |
| February 2026 | 104 |
| January 2026 | 109 |
| December 2025 | 132 |
| November 2025 | 107 |
| October 2025 | 116 |
| September 2025 | 93 |
| August 2025 | 82 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kells and Sandwith 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in other crime (+40%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-38%) and burglary (-38%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 667 | 88.6 | 2.59 | -3% |
| Public order | 129 | 17.1 | 2.58 | -23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 128 | 17.0 | 2.51 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 98 | 13.0 | 0.85 | -38% |
| Other theft | 64 | 8.5 | 1.33 | -7% |
| Drugs | 58 | 7.7 | 2.36 | -33% |
| Other crime | 35 | 4.6 | 2.20 | +40% |
| Shoplifting | 28 | 3.7 | 0.45 | +0% |
| Burglary | 23 | 3.1 | 0.86 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 18 | 2.4 | 2.46 | +29% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 2.0 | 0.40 | +7% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.7 | 0.81 | +67% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.4 | 0.24 | +0% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kells and Sandwith
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kells and Sandwith recorded 667 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (88.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 52.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kells and Sandwith
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kells and Sandwith recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kells and Sandwith
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kells and Sandwith recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kells and Sandwith
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kells and Sandwith recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kells and Sandwith
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kells and Sandwith recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kells and Sandwith
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kells and Sandwith recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kells and Sandwith
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kells and Sandwith recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kells and Sandwith
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kells and Sandwith recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kells and Sandwith
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kells and Sandwith recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kells and Sandwith
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kells and Sandwith recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kells and Sandwith
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kells and Sandwith recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kells and Sandwith
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kells and Sandwith recorded 5 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 67% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kells and Sandwith
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kells and Sandwith recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kells and Sandwith
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kells and Sandwith recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kells and Sandwith, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kells and Sandwith.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kells and Sandwith |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirehouse | 347 | 64.6 | -62% |
| Hillcrest and Hensingham | 436 | 72.5 | -57% |
| Bransty | 131 | 28.0 | -83% |
| Egremont North and St Bees | 276 | 59.7 | -65% |
| Cleator Moor West | 476 | 83.4 | -51% |
| Howgate | 189 | 35.6 | -79% |
| Cleator Moor East and Frizington | 349 | 58.0 | -66% |
| Egremont | 541 | 88.8 | -47% |
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 Kells and Sandwith over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 113 |
| On or near Duke Street | 83 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 53 |
| On or near Gregg'S Lane | 49 |
| On or near Peter Street | 45 |
| On or near George Street | 42 |
| On or near Scotch Street | 42 |
| On or near Parking Area | 38 |
| On or near New Street | 35 |
| On or near Brakeside Gardens | 34 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kells and Sandwith 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 | 511 | 40.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 179 | 14.1% |
| Under investigation | 155 | 12.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 115 | 9.0% |
| Not recorded | 98 | 7.7% |
| Local resolution | 54 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 54 | 4.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 52 | 4.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 21 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.6% |
Kells and Sandwith has an estimated population of 7,532. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kells and Sandwith sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kells and Sandwith |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.1% |
| Social rented homes | 28.4% |
| Private rented homes | 15.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 42.7% |
Is Kells and Sandwith a safe place to live?
Kells and Sandwith recorded 168.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Kells and Sandwith?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 667 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (129).
Is crime in Kells and Sandwith going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kells and Sandwith was down 12% on the year before: 1,272 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,438 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kells and Sandwith?
Kells and Sandwith is policed by Cumbria. 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 Kells and Sandwith. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.