Crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East: statistics, rates and trends
3,509 crimes were recorded in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East at a glance
- Crime trends in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- Types of crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- Population and deprivation in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- Questions about crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- About this data
3,509 crimes were recorded in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,566 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East has the 732nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East | Birmingham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,509 | 146,625 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 126.7 | 123.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 27,700 | 1,183,618 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,834 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (2,657). Over the whole period it rose 32%, 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 | 3,509 | 126.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,239 | 116.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,166 | 114.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,622 | 130.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,783 | 136.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,834 | 138.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,735 | 98.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,852 | 103.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,657 | 95.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 325 |
| June 2026 | 323 |
| May 2026 | 321 |
| April 2026 | 283 |
| March 2026 | 316 |
| February 2026 | 267 |
| January 2026 | 276 |
| December 2025 | 274 |
| November 2025 | 276 |
| October 2025 | 248 |
| September 2025 | 280 |
| August 2025 | 320 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East 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, vehicle crime, drugs.
The largest increases were in other theft (+74%) and drugs (+72%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-60%) and shoplifting (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,566 | 56.5 | 1.65 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 286 | 10.3 | 2.10 | +8% |
| Drugs | 272 | 9.8 | 3.00 | +72% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 266 | 9.6 | 1.42 | +8% |
| Other theft | 259 | 9.4 | 1.46 | +74% |
| Public order | 196 | 7.1 | 1.06 | +3% |
| Burglary | 160 | 5.8 | 1.63 | +33% |
| Possession of weapons | 121 | 4.4 | 4.50 | +11% |
| Other crime | 120 | 4.3 | 2.05 | +38% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 96 | 3.5 | 0.23 | -60% |
| Robbery | 86 | 3.1 | 2.30 | -2% |
| Shoplifting | 37 | 1.3 | 0.16 | -21% |
| Theft from the person | 33 | 1.2 | 0.71 | +22% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 0.4 | 0.48 | -35% |
Violence and sexual offences in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 1,566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 272 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 72% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 266 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 74% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 196 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 33 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 up 22% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkhill | 1,989 | 97.7 | -23% |
| Moseley | 2,620 | 113.1 | -11% |
| Balsall Heath West | 1,316 | 102.2 | -19% |
| Bordesley & Highgate | 6,147 | 313.8 | +148% |
| Bordesley Green | 2,025 | 146.4 | +16% |
| Small Heath | 1,566 | 70.3 | -45% |
| Tyseley & Hay Mills | 1,645 | 118.1 | -7% |
| Hall Green North | 2,078 | 78.7 | -38% |
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 Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 350 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 153 |
| On or near Larches Street | 138 |
| On or near Byron Road | 83 |
| On or near Beach Brook Close | 79 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 73 |
| On or near Spark Street | 66 |
| On or near Medina Road | 65 |
| On or near Braithwaite Road | 59 |
| On or near Gough Road | 59 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East 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 | 1,387 | 39.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,132 | 32.3% |
| Under investigation | 261 | 7.4% |
| Local resolution | 254 | 7.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 166 | 4.7% |
| Not recorded | 96 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 89 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 87 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 22 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East has an estimated population of 27,700. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East sits in decile 1.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 26.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 7.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 44.3% |
| Social rented homes | 29.9% |
| Private rented homes | 25.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 100.0% |
Is Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East a safe place to live?
Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East recorded 126.7 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 Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by vehicle crime (286).
Is crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East was up 8% on the year before: 3,509 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,239 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East?
Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East is policed by West Midlands. 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 Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.