Crime in Knottingley, Wakefield: statistics, rates and trends
2,126 crimes were recorded in Knottingley, Wakefield in the 12 months to August 2026, 141.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 17% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Knottingley, Wakefield at a glance
- Crime trends in Knottingley, Wakefield
- Types of crime in Knottingley, Wakefield
- Knottingley, Wakefield compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Knottingley, Wakefield
- What happened after crimes were reported in Knottingley, Wakefield
- Demographics of Knottingley, Wakefield
- Questions about crime in Knottingley, Wakefield
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (874), anti-social behaviour (243) and criminal damage and arson (194) made up 62% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 514th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | Knottingley, Wakefield | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 2,126 | 42,896 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 141.9 | 116.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -17% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 14,983 | 367,666 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Knottingley, Wakefield of any year here (2,126 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 15%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 2,126 | 141.9 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 2,563 | 171.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 2,283 | 152.4 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 2,515 | 167.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 2,631 | 175.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 2,343 | 156.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 2,465 | 164.5 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 2,571 | 171.6 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 2,499 | 166.8 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 182 |
| July 2026 | 189 |
| June 2026 | 218 |
| May 2026 | 223 |
| April 2026 | 150 |
| March 2026 | 137 |
| February 2026 | 168 |
| January 2026 | 164 |
| December 2025 | 183 |
| November 2025 | 137 |
| October 2025 | 210 |
| September 2025 | 165 |
Compared with England and Wales, Knottingley, Wakefield recorded notably more other crime (2.4 times the national rate), vehicle crime (2.4 times the national rate) and criminal damage and arson (92% above the national rate), and notably less drugs (31% below). On the year before, other crime rose from 65 to 77, while shoplifting fell from 226 to 160 and public order fell from 182 to 129.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 874 | 58.3 | 34.2 | -14% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 243 | 16.2 | 15.4 | -28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 194 | 12.9 | 6.7 | -5% |
| Vehicle crime | 178 | 11.9 | 5.0 | -16% |
| Shoplifting | 160 | 10.7 | 8.5 | -29% |
| Other theft | 135 | 9.0 | 6.4 | -4% |
| Public order | 129 | 8.6 | 6.7 | -29% |
| Other crime | 77 | 5.1 | 2.1 | +18% |
| Burglary | 67 | 4.5 | 3.6 | -29% |
| Drugs | 34 | 2.3 | 3.3 | -11% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 1.0 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
2 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Knottingley, Wakefield; the highest is Castleford Central and Glasshoughton (196.9 per 1,000) and the lowest Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton (70.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Knottingley, Wakefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract North | 2,894 | 143.1 | +1% |
| Pontefract South | 1,344 | 86.5 | -39% |
| Airedale and Ferry Fryston | 2,250 | 129.4 | -9% |
| Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | 3,524 | 196.9 | +39% |
| Featherstone | 2,228 | 120.4 | -15% |
| Altofts and Whitwood | 1,483 | 79.9 | -44% |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,275 | 70.3 | -50% |
| Normanton | 1,864 | 101.1 | -29% |
The 10 locations below account for 27% of the crime recorded in Knottingley, Wakefield over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Supermarket” (124).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 124 |
| On or near Cattlelaith Lane | 108 |
| On or near Ennerdale Drive | 66 |
| On or near Racca Green | 43 |
| On or near High Street | 42 |
| On or near Sycamore Close | 42 |
| On or near Morley Avenue | 41 |
| On or near Garsdale Walk | 39 |
| On or near Bridge Lane | 36 |
| On or near Redwood Way | 36 |
Of the 1,883 crimes in Knottingley, Wakefield with a recorded outcome, 34% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.7% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 243 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 711 | 37.8% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 633 | 33.6% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 211 | 11.2% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 89 | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 71 | 3.8% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 39 | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 37 | 2.0% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 30 | 1.6% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 21 | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
Knottingley, Wakefield has an estimated population of 14,983 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (30%, against 17%), more residents with no qualifications (31%, against 18%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (16%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Knottingley, Wakefield average decile 2.2 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Knottingley, Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 55.5% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 23.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.9% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 16.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 31.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 26.8% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 29.6% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 12.5% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.2 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 11.6% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Knottingley, Wakefield a safe place to live?
Knottingley, Wakefield recorded 141.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 514th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and vehicle crime.
What is the most common crime in Knottingley, Wakefield?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 874 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (243).
Is crime in Knottingley, Wakefield going up or down?
Recorded crime in Knottingley, Wakefield was down 17% on the year before: 2,126 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 2,563 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Knottingley, Wakefield?
About 14,983 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 18% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Knottingley, Wakefield?
Knottingley, 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.