Crime in Pontefract North: statistics, rates and trends
2,887 crimes were recorded in Pontefract North in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Pontefract North at a glance
- Crime trends in Pontefract North
- Types of crime in Pontefract North
- Pontefract North compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Pontefract North
- What happened after crimes were reported in Pontefract North
- Population and deprivation in Pontefract North
- Questions about crime in Pontefract North
- About this data
2,887 crimes were recorded in Pontefract North in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,179 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Pontefract North has the 501st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Pontefract North | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,887 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 142.7 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 20,228 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Pontefract North was highest in the year to July 2022 (3,763 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (2,719). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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 | 2,887 | 142.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,060 | 151.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,162 | 156.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,555 | 175.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,763 | 186.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,719 | 134.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,009 | 148.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,156 | 156.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,860 | 141.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 302 |
| June 2026 | 210 |
| May 2026 | 238 |
| April 2026 | 240 |
| March 2026 | 264 |
| February 2026 | 202 |
| January 2026 | 214 |
| December 2025 | 259 |
| November 2025 | 224 |
| October 2025 | 245 |
| September 2025 | 203 |
| August 2025 | 286 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Pontefract North 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 robbery (+50%) and shoplifting (+14%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-25%) and burglary (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,179 | 58.3 | 1.70 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 389 | 19.2 | 1.25 | -7% |
| Shoplifting | 374 | 18.5 | 2.23 | +14% |
| Public order | 226 | 11.2 | 1.68 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 188 | 9.3 | 1.37 | -8% |
| Other theft | 133 | 6.6 | 1.03 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 97 | 4.8 | 0.97 | -2% |
| Drugs | 76 | 3.8 | 1.15 | +10% |
| Burglary | 68 | 3.4 | 0.95 | -21% |
| Other crime | 67 | 3.3 | 1.57 | +5% |
| Robbery | 36 | 1.8 | 1.32 | +50% |
| Theft from the person | 24 | 1.2 | 0.70 | -25% |
| Possession of weapons | 23 | 1.1 | 1.17 | -15% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.3 | 0.42 | -30% |
Violence and sexual offences in Pontefract North
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pontefract North recorded 1,179 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (58.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 40.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Pontefract North
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pontefract North recorded 389 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 13.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Pontefract North
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pontefract North recorded 374 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Pontefract North
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pontefract North recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Pontefract North
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pontefract North recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Pontefract North
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pontefract North recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Pontefract North
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pontefract North recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Pontefract North
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pontefract North recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Pontefract North
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pontefract North recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Pontefract North
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pontefract North recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Pontefract North
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pontefract North recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Pontefract North
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pontefract North recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Pontefract North
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pontefract North recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Pontefract North
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Pontefract North recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Pontefract North, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Pontefract North.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Pontefract North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract South | 1,354 | 87.1 | -39% |
| Airedale and Ferry Fryston | 2,222 | 127.8 | -10% |
| Knottingley | 2,175 | 145.2 | +2% |
| Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | 3,549 | 198.3 | +39% |
| Featherstone | 2,288 | 123.6 | -13% |
| Altofts and Whitwood | 1,450 | 78.1 | -45% |
| Normanton | 1,880 | 102.0 | -29% |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,290 | 71.1 | -50% |
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 Pontefract North over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 245 |
| On or near Beastfair | 121 |
| On or near Finkle Street | 120 |
| On or near Valley Road | 120 |
| On or near Crown And Anchor Yard | 98 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 96 |
| On or near Baxtergate | 56 |
| On or near Northfield Drive | 50 |
| On or near Queen'S Square | 50 |
| On or near Richmond Court | 48 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pontefract North 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 | 869 | 30.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 866 | 30.0% |
| Not recorded | 389 | 13.5% |
| Under investigation | 276 | 9.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 133 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 111 | 3.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 82 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 65 | 2.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 39 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 27 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 22 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.2% |
Pontefract North has an estimated population of 20,228. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pontefract North sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Pontefract North |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 63.9% |
| Social rented homes | 21.0% |
| Private rented homes | 15.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 16.2% |
Is Pontefract North a safe place to live?
Pontefract North recorded 142.7 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 Pontefract North?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,179 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (389).
Is crime in Pontefract North going up or down?
Recorded crime in Pontefract North was down 6% on the year before: 2,887 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,060 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Pontefract North?
Pontefract North is policed by West Yorkshire. 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 Pontefract North. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.