Crime in Pontefract South: statistics, rates and trends
1,344 crimes were recorded in Pontefract South in the 12 months to August 2026, 86.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Pontefract South
- Questions about crime in Pontefract South
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (627), anti-social behaviour (167) and criminal damage and arson (118) made up 68% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,623rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Pontefract South | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,344 | 42,896 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 86.5 | 116.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 15,544 | 367,666 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Pontefract South peaked in the year to August 2019 (1,582 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2021 (1,243). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 12%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,344 | 86.5 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,379 | 88.7 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,419 | 91.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,431 | 92.1 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,579 | 101.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,243 | 80.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,460 | 93.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,582 | 101.8 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,523 | 98.0 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 103 |
| July 2026 | 118 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, Pontefract South recorded notably more other crime (2.1 times the national rate), and notably less shoplifting (71% below) and drugs (49% below). On the year before, shoplifting rose from 23 to 38 and anti-social behaviour rose from 139 to 167.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 627 | 40.3 | 34.2 | -11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 167 | 10.7 | 15.4 | +20% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 118 | 7.6 | 6.7 | +3% |
| Public order | 87 | 5.6 | 6.7 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 77 | 5.0 | 5.0 | +1% |
| Other crime | 69 | 4.4 | 2.1 | +8% |
| Other theft | 62 | 4.0 | 6.4 | +7% |
| Burglary | 58 | 3.7 | 3.6 | +5% |
| Shoplifting | 38 | 2.4 | 8.5 | +65% |
| Drugs | 26 | 1.7 | 3.3 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Pontefract South; the highest is Castleford Central and Glasshoughton (196.9 per 1,000) and the lowest Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton (70.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Pontefract South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract North | 2,894 | 143.1 | +65% |
| Knottingley | 2,126 | 141.9 | +64% |
| Featherstone | 2,228 | 120.4 | +39% |
| Airedale and Ferry Fryston | 2,250 | 129.4 | +50% |
| Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | 3,524 | 196.9 | +128% |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,275 | 70.3 | -19% |
| Altofts and Whitwood | 1,483 | 79.9 | -8% |
| Normanton | 1,864 | 101.1 | +17% |
The 10 locations below account for 29% of the crime recorded in Pontefract South over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Chequers Close” (77).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Chequers Close | 77 |
| On or near Willow Park | 57 |
| On or near Eastbourne Terrace | 41 |
| On or near Green Lane | 41 |
| On or near East Drive | 32 |
| On or near The Rise | 32 |
| On or near Applewood Gardens | 29 |
| On or near Monument Lane | 29 |
| On or near Chequerfield Lane | 27 |
| On or near Hill Close | 26 |
Of the 1,177 crimes in Pontefract South with a recorded outcome, 27% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 167 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 474 | 40.3% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 313 | 26.6% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 135 | 11.5% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 59 | 5.0% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 48 | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 47 | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 35 | 3.0% | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 28 | 2.4% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 15 | 1.3% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% | 0.5% |
Pontefract South has an estimated population of 15,544 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less private renting (10%, against 20%), fewer students (4.7%, against 7.9%) and more retired residents (29%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Pontefract South average decile 5.2 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Pontefract South | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.7% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 53.5% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 29.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 26.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 22.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 21.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 21.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 10.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.0% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Pontefract South a safe place to live?
Pontefract South recorded 86.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,623rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime.
What is the most common crime in Pontefract South?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 627 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (167).
Is crime in Pontefract South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Pontefract South was down 3% on the year before: 1,344 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,379 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Pontefract South?
About 15,544 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 24% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Pontefract South?
Pontefract South is policed by West Yorkshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.