Crime in Wakefield East: statistics, rates and trends
3,891 crimes were recorded in Wakefield East in the 12 months to July 2026, 227.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wakefield East at a glance
- Crime trends in Wakefield East
- Types of crime in Wakefield East
- Wakefield East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Wakefield East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wakefield East
- Population and deprivation in Wakefield East
- Questions about crime in Wakefield East
- About this data
3,891 crimes were recorded in Wakefield East in the 12 months to July 2026, 227.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,485 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wakefield East has the 147th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wakefield East | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,891 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 227.8 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 17,083 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wakefield East was highest in the year to July 2023 (5,654 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,891). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 | 3,891 | 227.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,432 | 259.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,346 | 254.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,654 | 331.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 5,648 | 330.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,523 | 264.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,775 | 279.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,108 | 299.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,835 | 283.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 352 |
| June 2026 | 404 |
| May 2026 | 294 |
| April 2026 | 336 |
| March 2026 | 309 |
| February 2026 | 255 |
| January 2026 | 320 |
| December 2025 | 306 |
| November 2025 | 293 |
| October 2025 | 363 |
| September 2025 | 311 |
| August 2025 | 348 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wakefield 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+22%) and robbery (+14%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-43%) and public order (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,485 | 86.9 | 2.54 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 485 | 28.4 | 3.43 | -7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 344 | 20.1 | 1.31 | -9% |
| Public order | 330 | 19.3 | 2.91 | -24% |
| Other theft | 230 | 13.5 | 2.11 | -11% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 228 | 13.3 | 1.97 | -8% |
| Drugs | 219 | 12.8 | 3.92 | -1% |
| Vehicle crime | 131 | 7.7 | 1.56 | -24% |
| Burglary | 125 | 7.3 | 2.07 | -21% |
| Other crime | 105 | 6.1 | 2.91 | -19% |
| Robbery | 82 | 4.8 | 3.55 | +14% |
| Possession of weapons | 61 | 3.6 | 3.68 | +22% |
| Theft from the person | 45 | 2.6 | 1.56 | -20% |
| Bicycle theft | 21 | 1.2 | 1.49 | -43% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wakefield East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wakefield East recorded 1,485 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (86.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 38.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wakefield East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wakefield East recorded 485 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wakefield East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wakefield East recorded 344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wakefield East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wakefield East recorded 330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wakefield East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wakefield East recorded 230 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wakefield East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wakefield East recorded 228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wakefield East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wakefield East recorded 219 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wakefield East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wakefield East recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wakefield East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wakefield East recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wakefield East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wakefield East recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wakefield East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wakefield East recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wakefield East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wakefield East recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wakefield East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wakefield East recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wakefield East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wakefield East recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wakefield East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wakefield East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wakefield East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield North | 3,312 | 173.0 | -24% |
| Wakefield West | 2,490 | 167.6 | -26% |
| Wakefield South | 2,174 | 131.5 | -42% |
| Stanley and Outwood East | 1,581 | 76.9 | -66% |
| Wrenthorpe and Outwood West | 1,500 | 83.6 | -63% |
| Normanton | 1,880 | 102.0 | -55% |
| Horbury and South Ossett | 1,143 | 75.4 | -67% |
| Crofton, Ryhill and Walton | 984 | 63.1 | -72% |
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 Wakefield East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 244 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 193 |
| On or near Ings Road | 191 |
| On or near Parking Area | 154 |
| On or near Avison Yard | 80 |
| On or near Wonder Street | 79 |
| On or near West Parade Street | 77 |
| On or near Arundel Close | 72 |
| On or near Supermarket | 70 |
| On or near Earl Street | 64 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wakefield 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 | 1,184 | 30.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,078 | 27.7% |
| Under investigation | 374 | 9.6% |
| Not recorded | 344 | 8.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 331 | 8.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 162 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 159 | 4.1% |
| Local resolution | 150 | 3.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 42 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 25 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 23 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
Wakefield East has an estimated population of 17,083. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wakefield East sits in decile 1.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wakefield East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 36.7% |
| Social rented homes | 38.5% |
| Private rented homes | 24.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 50.8% |
Is Wakefield East a safe place to live?
Wakefield East recorded 227.8 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 Wakefield East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,485 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (485).
Is crime in Wakefield East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wakefield East was down 12% on the year before: 3,891 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,432 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wakefield East?
Wakefield East 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 Wakefield East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.