Crime in Pontefract South: statistics, rates and trends
1,354 crimes were recorded in Pontefract South in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Pontefract South at a glance
- Crime trends in Pontefract South
- Types of crime in Pontefract South
- Pontefract South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Pontefract South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Pontefract South
- Population and deprivation in Pontefract South
- Questions about crime in Pontefract South
- About this data
1,354 crimes were recorded in Pontefract South in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 648 reports (48% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Pontefract South has the 1,595th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Pontefract South | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,354 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 87.1 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 15,544 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Pontefract South was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,584 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,248). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 1,354 | 87.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,360 | 87.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,448 | 93.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,417 | 91.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,571 | 101.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,248 | 80.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,482 | 95.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,584 | 101.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,508 | 97.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 117 |
| June 2026 | 126 |
| May 2026 | 117 |
| April 2026 | 116 |
| March 2026 | 100 |
| February 2026 | 117 |
| January 2026 | 91 |
| December 2025 | 110 |
| November 2025 | 99 |
| October 2025 | 124 |
| September 2025 | 123 |
| August 2025 | 114 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Pontefract South 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 other crime.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+52%) and anti-social behaviour (+33%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-14%) and drugs (-14%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 648 | 41.7 | 1.22 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 173 | 11.1 | 0.73 | +33% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 112 | 7.2 | 1.06 | -1% |
| Public order | 86 | 5.5 | 0.83 | -3% |
| Vehicle crime | 71 | 4.6 | 0.93 | -14% |
| Other crime | 68 | 4.4 | 2.07 | +11% |
| Other theft | 63 | 4.1 | 0.63 | +9% |
| Burglary | 57 | 3.7 | 1.04 | -5% |
| Shoplifting | 35 | 2.3 | 0.27 | +52% |
| Drugs | 25 | 1.6 | 0.49 | -14% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.5 | 0.46 | -42% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.2 | 0.23 | +0% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.14 | -57% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 0.11 | -40% |
Violence and sexual offences in Pontefract South
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pontefract South recorded 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 47.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Pontefract South
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pontefract South recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 12.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Pontefract South
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pontefract South recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Pontefract South
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pontefract South recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Pontefract South
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pontefract South recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Pontefract South
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pontefract South recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Pontefract South
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pontefract South recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Pontefract South
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pontefract South recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Pontefract South
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pontefract South recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Pontefract South
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pontefract South recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Pontefract South
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pontefract South recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Pontefract South
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Pontefract South recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Pontefract South
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pontefract South recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Pontefract South
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pontefract South recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Pontefract South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Pontefract South.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Pontefract South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract North | 2,887 | 142.7 | +64% |
| Knottingley | 2,175 | 145.2 | +67% |
| Featherstone | 2,288 | 123.6 | +42% |
| Airedale and Ferry Fryston | 2,222 | 127.8 | +47% |
| Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | 3,549 | 198.3 | +128% |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,290 | 71.1 | -18% |
| Altofts and Whitwood | 1,450 | 78.1 | -10% |
| Normanton | 1,880 | 102.0 | +17% |
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 South over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Chequers Close | 84 |
| On or near Willow Park | 65 |
| On or near Green Lane | 45 |
| On or near Eastbourne Terrace | 36 |
| On or near The Rise | 34 |
| On or near East Drive | 28 |
| On or near Applewood Gardens | 27 |
| On or near Monument Lane | 27 |
| On or near Chequerfield Lane | 24 |
| On or near Hill Close | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pontefract South 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 | 492 | 36.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 319 | 23.6% |
| Not recorded | 173 | 12.8% |
| Under investigation | 131 | 9.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 55 | 4.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 47 | 3.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 42 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 35 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 25 | 1.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 16 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Pontefract South has an estimated population of 15,544. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pontefract South sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Pontefract South |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.3% |
| Social rented homes | 21.4% |
| Private rented homes | 10.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.0% |
Is Pontefract South a safe place to live?
Pontefract South recorded 87.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 South?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (173).
Is crime in Pontefract South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Pontefract South was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,354 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,360 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Pontefract South?
Pontefract South 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 South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.