Crime in Market Drayton East & Rural: statistics, rates and trends
517 crimes were recorded in Market Drayton East & Rural in the 12 months to August 2026, 90.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Market Drayton East & Rural at a glance
- Crime trends in Market Drayton East & Rural
- Types of crime in Market Drayton East & Rural
- Market Drayton East & Rural compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Market Drayton East & Rural
- What happened after crimes were reported in Market Drayton East & Rural
- Demographics of Market Drayton East & Rural
- Questions about crime in Market Drayton East & Rural
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (186), shoplifting (66) and anti-social behaviour (61) made up 61% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,473rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Market Drayton East & Rural | Shropshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 517 | 19,214 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 90.8 | 57.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 5,691 | 332,455 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Market Drayton East & Rural peaked in the year to August 2020 (727 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (508). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 28%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 517 | 90.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 541 | 95.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 508 | 89.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 546 | 95.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 563 | 98.9 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 684 | 120.2 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 727 | 127.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 630 | 110.7 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 723 | 127.0 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 31 |
| July 2026 | 52 |
| June 2026 | 25 |
| May 2026 | 51 |
| April 2026 | 36 |
| March 2026 | 37 |
| February 2026 | 39 |
| January 2026 | 53 |
| December 2025 | 48 |
| November 2025 | 42 |
| October 2025 | 46 |
| September 2025 | 57 |
Compared with England and Wales, Market Drayton East & Rural recorded notably more other theft (53% above the national rate) and shoplifting (37% above the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (30% below). On the year before, public order rose from 26 to 38 and other theft rose from 43 to 56, while criminal damage and arson fell from 69 to 46 and anti-social behaviour fell from 90 to 61.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 186 | 32.7 | 34.2 | -8% |
| Shoplifting | 66 | 11.6 | 8.5 | +16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 61 | 10.7 | 15.4 | -32% |
| Other theft | 56 | 9.8 | 6.4 | +30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 46 | 8.1 | 6.7 | -33% |
| Public order | 38 | 6.7 | 6.7 | +46% |
| Drugs | 23 | 4.0 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.8 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 1.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 6 | 1.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.7 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Market Drayton East & Rural has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Market Drayton East & Rural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Drayton North | 191 | 40.0 | -56% |
| Market Drayton South | 241 | 56.3 | -38% |
| Cheswardine | 80 | 26.4 | -71% |
| Hodnet | 327 | 55.0 | -39% |
| Prees | 175 | 35.9 | -60% |
| Whitchurch North | 434 | 82.1 | -10% |
| Whitchurch West | 213 | 58.3 | -36% |
| Wem | 565 | 58.7 | -35% |
The 10 locations below account for 59% of the crime recorded in Market Drayton East & Rural over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Shopping Area” (46).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 46 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 42 |
| On or near Fairfields Road | 40 |
| On or near Parking Area | 36 |
| On or near Supermarket | 35 |
| On or near Unicorn Court | 26 |
| On or near Cheshire Street | 23 |
| On or near Pear Tree Croft | 21 |
| On or near Sycamore Way | 19 |
| On or near Mercian Court | 18 |
Of the 456 crimes in Market Drayton East & Rural with a recorded outcome, 21% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 5.3% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 61 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 232 | 50.9% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 98 | 21.5% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 43 | 9.4% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 26 | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 14 | 3.1% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.5% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
Market Drayton East & Rural has an estimated population of 5,691 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer students (3.2%, against 7.9%), an older population (27%, against 19%) and more retired residents (31%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Market Drayton East & Rural average decile 5.7 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Market Drayton East & Rural | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 53.1% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 31.2% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 30.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 18.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 17.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 63.5% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 18.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 18.0% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.7 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Market Drayton East & Rural a safe place to live?
Market Drayton East & Rural recorded 90.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,473rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other theft and shoplifting.
What is the most common crime in Market Drayton East & Rural?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 186 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (66).
Is crime in Market Drayton East & Rural going up or down?
Recorded crime in Market Drayton East & Rural was down 4% on the year before: 517 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 541 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Market Drayton East & Rural?
About 5,691 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 27% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Market Drayton East & Rural?
Market Drayton East & Rural is policed by West Mercia.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.