Crime in Penzance East: statistics, rates and trends
1,469 crimes were recorded in Penzance East in the 12 months to July 2026, 183.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Penzance East at a glance
- Crime trends in Penzance East
- Types of crime in Penzance East
- Penzance East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Penzance East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Penzance East
- Population and deprivation in Penzance East
- Questions about crime in Penzance East
- About this data
1,469 crimes were recorded in Penzance East in the 12 months to July 2026, 183.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 564 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Penzance East has the 250th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Penzance East | Cornwall | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,469 | 41,624 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 183.9 | 71.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,989 | 583,289 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Penzance East was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,013 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,245). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 | 1,469 | 183.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,471 | 184.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,245 | 155.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,369 | 171.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,484 | 185.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,439 | 180.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,526 | 191.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,013 | 252.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 123 |
| June 2026 | 133 |
| May 2026 | 124 |
| April 2026 | 117 |
| March 2026 | 107 |
| February 2026 | 104 |
| January 2026 | 83 |
| December 2025 | 86 |
| November 2025 | 124 |
| October 2025 | 133 |
| September 2025 | 156 |
| August 2025 | 179 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Penzance East 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in public order (+37%) and other theft (+19%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-35%) and anti-social behaviour (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 564 | 70.6 | 2.06 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 285 | 35.7 | 2.33 | -15% |
| Shoplifting | 151 | 18.9 | 2.28 | +1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 135 | 16.9 | 2.49 | -10% |
| Public order | 108 | 13.5 | 2.03 | +37% |
| Other theft | 75 | 9.4 | 1.47 | +19% |
| Drugs | 37 | 4.6 | 1.42 | +9% |
| Burglary | 30 | 3.8 | 1.06 | +15% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 3.1 | 0.64 | -14% |
| Other crime | 20 | 2.5 | 1.19 | -9% |
| Robbery | 17 | 2.1 | 1.58 | +183% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 1.6 | 1.68 | -35% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 1.0 | 0.59 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -92% |
Violence and sexual offences in Penzance East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Penzance East recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (70.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Penzance East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Penzance East recorded 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Penzance East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Penzance East recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Penzance East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Penzance East recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Penzance East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Penzance East recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Penzance East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Penzance East recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Penzance East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Penzance East recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Penzance East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Penzance East recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Penzance East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Penzance East recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Penzance East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Penzance East recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Penzance East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Penzance East recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 183% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Penzance East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Penzance East recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Penzance East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Penzance East recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Penzance East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Penzance East recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 92% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Penzance East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Penzance East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Penzance East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penzance Promenade | 455 | 91.9 | -50% |
| Ludgvan, Madron, Gulval & Heamoor | 448 | 63.8 | -65% |
| Mousehole, Newlyn & St Buryan | 232 | 53.2 | -71% |
| Long Rock, Marazion & St Erth | 287 | 45.1 | -75% |
| St Ives East, Lelant & Carbis Bay | 293 | 38.7 | -79% |
| Land's End | 385 | 44.6 | -76% |
| St Ives West & Towednack | 582 | 111.7 | -39% |
| Hayle West | 579 | 81.3 | -56% |
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 Penzance East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 179 |
| On or near Parking Area | 72 |
| On or near Union Street | 63 |
| On or near Albert Street | 51 |
| On or near Old Brewery Yard | 48 |
| On or near The Greenmarket | 47 |
| On or near Branwell Lane | 46 |
| On or near Bread Street | 44 |
| On or near Jelbert Way | 38 |
| On or near Queens Square | 35 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Penzance East 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 | 563 | 38.3% |
| Not recorded | 285 | 19.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 278 | 18.9% |
| Under investigation | 139 | 9.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 63 | 4.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 39 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 39 | 2.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 26 | 1.8% |
| Local resolution | 16 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Penzance East has an estimated population of 7,989. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Penzance East sits in decile 1.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Penzance East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 44.8% |
| Social rented homes | 27.7% |
| Private rented homes | 27.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 44.3% |
Is Penzance East a safe place to live?
Penzance East recorded 183.9 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 Penzance East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (285).
Is crime in Penzance East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Penzance East was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,469 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,471 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Penzance East?
Penzance East is policed by Devon & Cornwall. 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 Penzance East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.