Crime in Neston: statistics, rates and trends
406 crimes were recorded in Neston in the 12 months to August 2026, 96.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 16% on the year before.
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (168), shoplifting (87) and anti-social behaviour (37) made up 72% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,343rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Neston | Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 406 | 27,265 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 96.1 | 73.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -16% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 4,225 | 371,652 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Neston of any year here (406 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 | 406 | 96.1 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 482 | 114.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 447 | 105.8 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 505 | 119.5 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 422 | 99.9 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 538 | 127.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 524 | 124.0 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 441 | 104.4 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 479 | 113.4 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 20 |
| July 2026 | 48 |
| June 2026 | 50 |
| May 2026 | 31 |
| April 2026 | 26 |
| March 2026 | 33 |
| February 2026 | 21 |
| January 2026 | 29 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 56 |
| September 2025 | 38 |
Compared with England and Wales, Neston recorded notably more shoplifting (2.4 times the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (43% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 29 to 37 and shoplifting rose from 70 to 87, while public order fell from 52 to 33 and criminal damage and arson fell from 40 to 26.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 168 | 39.8 | 34.2 | -20% |
| Shoplifting | 87 | 20.6 | 8.5 | +24% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 37 | 8.8 | 15.4 | +28% |
| Public order | 33 | 7.8 | 6.7 | -37% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 26 | 6.2 | 6.7 | -35% |
| Other theft | 18 | 4.3 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 10 | 2.4 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Drugs | 9 | 2.1 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 9 | 2.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.5 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 2 | 0.5 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Neston has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Neston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkgate | 136 | 24.0 | -75% |
| Little Neston | 242 | 37.6 | -61% |
| Willaston & Thornton | 134 | 30.5 | -68% |
| Ledsham & Manor | 353 | 32.9 | -66% |
| Netherpool | 266 | 54.1 | -44% |
| Sutton Villages | 861 | 82.0 | -15% |
| Strawberry | 155 | 32.7 | -66% |
| Whitby Park | 459 | 79.7 | -17% |
The 10 locations below account for 62% of the crime recorded in Neston over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (65).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 65 |
| On or near High Street | 48 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Supermarket | 22 |
| On or near Frobisher Road | 21 |
| On or near Mayfield Gardens | 16 |
| On or near Police Station | 15 |
| On or near Cross Street | 14 |
| On or near Liverpool Road | 13 |
| On or near Spenser Road | 12 |
Of the 369 crimes in Neston with a recorded outcome, 21% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 12% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 37 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 145 | 39.3% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 77 | 20.9% | 35.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 44 | 11.9% | 5.2% |
| Under investigation | 44 | 11.9% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 5.4% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 17 | 4.6% | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 2.7% | 1.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 9 | 2.4% | 4.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.8% | 0.3% |
Neston has an estimated population of 4,225 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (32%, against 17%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Neston average decile 3.8 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Neston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 51.2% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.5% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 24.9% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 9.1% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 29.9% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 20.2% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 22.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 51.4% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 32.1% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 16.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Neston a safe place to live?
Neston recorded 96.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,343rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were shoplifting.
What is the most common crime in Neston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 168 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (87).
Is crime in Neston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Neston was down 16% on the year before: 406 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 482 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Neston?
About 4,225 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 22% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Neston?
Neston is policed by Cheshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.