Crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby: statistics, rates and trends
2,293 crimes were recorded in South Elmsall and South Kirkby in the 12 months to July 2026, 118.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby at a glance
- Crime trends in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- Types of crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- South Elmsall and South Kirkby compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- Population and deprivation in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- Questions about crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- About this data
2,293 crimes were recorded in South Elmsall and South Kirkby in the 12 months to July 2026, 118.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 989 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Elmsall and South Kirkby has the 855th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Elmsall and South Kirkby | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,293 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 118.0 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -14% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 19,436 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby was highest in the year to July 2023 (3,200 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,293). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 | 2,293 | 118.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,658 | 136.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,968 | 152.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,200 | 164.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,815 | 144.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,575 | 132.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,565 | 132.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,557 | 131.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,628 | 135.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 196 |
| June 2026 | 197 |
| May 2026 | 199 |
| April 2026 | 178 |
| March 2026 | 205 |
| February 2026 | 166 |
| January 2026 | 151 |
| December 2025 | 146 |
| November 2025 | 173 |
| October 2025 | 216 |
| September 2025 | 230 |
| August 2025 | 236 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Elmsall and South Kirkby 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson. The largest falls were in burglary (-37%) and shoplifting (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 989 | 50.9 | 1.49 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 218 | 11.2 | 0.73 | -20% |
| Shoplifting | 202 | 10.4 | 1.25 | -28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 195 | 10.0 | 1.48 | -11% |
| Public order | 179 | 9.2 | 1.39 | -2% |
| Other theft | 142 | 7.3 | 1.14 | -16% |
| Vehicle crime | 112 | 5.8 | 1.17 | -15% |
| Burglary | 81 | 4.2 | 1.18 | -37% |
| Other crime | 76 | 3.9 | 1.85 | -22% |
| Drugs | 41 | 2.1 | 0.65 | -20% |
| Robbery | 27 | 1.4 | 1.03 | +8% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.1 | 1.17 | +38% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.4 | 0.21 | -30% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.13 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 989 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 43.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 195 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 179 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 22 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 up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 2 reports 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 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Elmsall and South Kirkby, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Elmsall and South Kirkby.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Elmsall and South Kirkby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,290 | 71.1 | -40% |
| Hemsworth | 2,058 | 119.3 | +1% |
| Crofton, Ryhill and Walton | 984 | 63.1 | -47% |
| Pontefract South | 1,354 | 87.1 | -26% |
| Featherstone | 2,288 | 123.6 | +5% |
| Pontefract North | 2,887 | 142.7 | +21% |
| Knottingley | 2,175 | 145.2 | +23% |
| Normanton | 1,880 | 102.0 | -14% |
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 South Elmsall and South Kirkby over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Millars Walk | 102 |
| On or near Parking Area | 66 |
| On or near Cambridge Street | 61 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 58 |
| On or near Saxon Avenue | 47 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 45 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 44 |
| On or near Marion Close | 38 |
| On or near Low Gate | 37 |
| On or near Park Avenue | 36 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Elmsall and South Kirkby 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 | 865 | 37.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 634 | 27.6% |
| Under investigation | 219 | 9.6% |
| Not recorded | 218 | 9.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 99 | 4.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 89 | 3.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 64 | 2.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 34 | 1.5% |
| Local resolution | 31 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.3% |
South Elmsall and South Kirkby has an estimated population of 19,436. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Elmsall and South Kirkby sits in decile 2.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Elmsall and South Kirkby |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.5% |
| Social rented homes | 25.9% |
| Private rented homes | 16.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 33.5% |
Is South Elmsall and South Kirkby a safe place to live?
South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 118.0 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 South Elmsall and South Kirkby?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 989 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (218).
Is crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby was down 14% on the year before: 2,293 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,658 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Elmsall and South Kirkby?
South Elmsall and South Kirkby 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 South Elmsall and South Kirkby. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.