Crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby: statistics, rates and trends
2,248 crimes were recorded in South Elmsall and South Kirkby in the 12 months to August 2026, 115.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 15% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- Questions about crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (950), anti-social behaviour (204) and shoplifting (201) made up 60% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 903rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | South Elmsall and South Kirkby | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 2,248 | 42,896 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 115.7 | 116.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -15% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 19,436 | 367,666 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby of any year here (2,248 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 15%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 2,248 | 115.7 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 2,634 | 135.5 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 2,999 | 154.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 3,157 | 162.4 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 2,849 | 146.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 2,534 | 130.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 2,599 | 133.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 2,551 | 131.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 2,647 | 136.2 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 191 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded notably more other crime (2.0 times the national rate), criminal damage and arson (47% above the national rate) and violence and sexual offences (43% above the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (32% below) and drugs (29% below). On the year before, robbery rose from 25 to 30, while shoplifting fell from 272 to 201 and anti-social behaviour fell from 276 to 204.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 950 | 48.9 | 34.2 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 204 | 10.5 | 15.4 | -26% |
| Shoplifting | 201 | 10.3 | 8.5 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 193 | 9.9 | 6.7 | -12% |
| Public order | 174 | 9.0 | 6.7 | -1% |
| Other theft | 138 | 7.1 | 6.4 | -19% |
| Vehicle crime | 110 | 5.7 | 5.0 | -13% |
| Burglary | 88 | 4.5 | 3.6 | -24% |
| Other crime | 82 | 4.2 | 2.1 | -6% |
| Drugs | 45 | 2.3 | 3.3 | -2% |
| Robbery | 30 | 1.5 | 1.4 | +20% |
| Possession of weapons | 19 | 1.0 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.5 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
4 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than South Elmsall and South Kirkby; the highest is Pontefract North (143.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Crofton, Ryhill and Walton (62.4).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Elmsall and South Kirkby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton | 1,275 | 70.3 | -39% |
| Hemsworth | 2,013 | 116.7 | +1% |
| Crofton, Ryhill and Walton | 973 | 62.4 | -46% |
| Pontefract South | 1,344 | 86.5 | -25% |
| Featherstone | 2,228 | 120.4 | +4% |
| Pontefract North | 2,894 | 143.1 | +24% |
| Knottingley | 2,126 | 141.9 | +23% |
| Normanton | 1,864 | 101.1 | -13% |
The 10 locations below account for 24% of the crime recorded in South Elmsall and South Kirkby over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Millars Walk” (94).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Millars Walk | 94 |
| On or near Parking Area | 79 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 60 |
| On or near Saxon Avenue | 55 |
| On or near Cambridge Street | 54 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 46 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 40 |
| On or near Low Gate | 36 |
| On or near Barnsley Road | 35 |
| On or near Marion Close | 35 |
Of the 2,044 crimes in South Elmsall and South Kirkby with a recorded outcome, 30% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 204 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 824 | 40.3% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 608 | 29.7% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 251 | 12.3% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 99 | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 89 | 4.4% | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 62 | 3.0% | 2.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 36 | 1.8% | 0.3% |
| Local resolution | 33 | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 20 | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.4% | 0.5% |
South Elmsall and South Kirkby has an estimated population of 19,436 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more residents with no qualifications (31%, against 18%), more social housing (26%, against 17%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (18%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up South Elmsall and South Kirkby average decile 2.6 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | South Elmsall and South Kirkby | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.7% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 55.8% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 22.1% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.8% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 17.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 30.9% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 25.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.5% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 25.9% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 16.5% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.6 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 33.5% | 10.1% (England) |
Is South Elmsall and South Kirkby a safe place to live?
South Elmsall and South Kirkby recorded 115.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 903rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and criminal damage and arson.
What is the most common crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 950 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (204).
Is crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Elmsall and South Kirkby was down 15% on the year before: 2,248 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 2,634 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of South Elmsall and South Kirkby?
About 19,436 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 19% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers South Elmsall and South Kirkby?
South Elmsall and South Kirkby 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.