Crime in Sparkhill: statistics, rates and trends

1,989 crimes were recorded in Sparkhill in the 12 months to July 2026, 97.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,066 reports (54% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sparkhill has the 1,297th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sparkhill was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,443 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,305). Over the whole period it rose 52%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sparkhill 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, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in drugs (+37%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-65%) and bicycle theft (-50%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sparkhill

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sparkhill recorded 1,066 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 53.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sparkhill

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sparkhill recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sparkhill

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sparkhill recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sparkhill

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sparkhill recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sparkhill

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sparkhill recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sparkhill

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sparkhill recorded 76 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 11% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sparkhill

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sparkhill recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sparkhill

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sparkhill recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 65% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sparkhill

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sparkhill recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sparkhill

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sparkhill recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sparkhill

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sparkhill recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sparkhill

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sparkhill recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sparkhill

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sparkhill recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sparkhill

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sparkhill recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sparkhill, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sparkhill.

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 Sparkhill over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sparkhill 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.

Sparkhill has an estimated population of 20,350. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sparkhill sits in decile 1.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Sparkhill. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.