Crime in Wakefield South: statistics, rates and trends
2,174 crimes were recorded in Wakefield South in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wakefield South at a glance
- Crime trends in Wakefield South
- Types of crime in Wakefield South
- Wakefield South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Wakefield South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wakefield South
- Population and deprivation in Wakefield South
- Questions about crime in Wakefield South
- About this data
2,174 crimes were recorded in Wakefield South in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 971 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wakefield South has the 657th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wakefield South | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,174 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 131.5 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 16,535 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wakefield South was highest in the year to July 2024 (2,355 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,723). Over the whole period it rose 14%, 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 | 2,174 | 131.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,182 | 132.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,355 | 142.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,133 | 129.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,723 | 104.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,867 | 112.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,844 | 111.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,010 | 121.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,907 | 115.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 222 |
| June 2026 | 206 |
| May 2026 | 192 |
| April 2026 | 194 |
| March 2026 | 183 |
| February 2026 | 146 |
| January 2026 | 163 |
| December 2025 | 145 |
| November 2025 | 183 |
| October 2025 | 173 |
| September 2025 | 179 |
| August 2025 | 188 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wakefield South 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in drugs (+40%) and anti-social behaviour (+27%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-33%) and other theft (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 971 | 58.7 | 1.72 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 220 | 13.3 | 0.87 | +27% |
| Public order | 192 | 11.6 | 1.75 | -8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 173 | 10.5 | 1.54 | +16% |
| Other theft | 133 | 8.0 | 1.26 | -20% |
| Burglary | 114 | 6.9 | 1.95 | +9% |
| Vehicle crime | 98 | 5.9 | 1.20 | +2% |
| Drugs | 77 | 4.7 | 1.42 | +40% |
| Other crime | 67 | 4.1 | 1.92 | -15% |
| Shoplifting | 66 | 4.0 | 0.48 | -33% |
| Robbery | 24 | 1.5 | 1.07 | -8% |
| Possession of weapons | 20 | 1.2 | 1.25 | +67% |
| Theft from the person | 12 | 0.7 | 0.43 | -14% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.51 | -46% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wakefield South
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wakefield South recorded 971 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (58.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 44.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wakefield South
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wakefield South recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wakefield South
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wakefield South recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wakefield South
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wakefield South recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wakefield South
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wakefield South recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wakefield South
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wakefield South recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wakefield South
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wakefield South recorded 98 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 up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wakefield South
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wakefield South recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wakefield South
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wakefield South recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wakefield South
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wakefield South recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wakefield South
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wakefield South recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wakefield South
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wakefield South recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wakefield South
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wakefield South recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wakefield South
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wakefield South recorded 7 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 46% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wakefield South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wakefield South.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wakefield South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield East | 3,891 | 227.8 | +73% |
| Wakefield West | 2,490 | 167.6 | +27% |
| Wakefield North | 3,312 | 173.0 | +32% |
| Crofton, Ryhill and Walton | 984 | 63.1 | -52% |
| Wakefield Rural | 1,283 | 71.8 | -45% |
| Horbury and South Ossett | 1,143 | 75.4 | -43% |
| Wrenthorpe and Outwood West | 1,500 | 83.6 | -36% |
| Stanley and Outwood East | 1,581 | 76.9 | -42% |
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 South over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Charles Avenue | 128 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 76 |
| On or near Supermarket | 65 |
| On or near Sparable Lane | 53 |
| On or near Wharncliffe Road | 48 |
| On or near Brook Crescent | 46 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 45 |
| On or near Temple Court | 45 |
| On or near Buckingham Drive | 39 |
| On or near Fall Ings Road | 34 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wakefield South 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 | 717 | 33.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 676 | 31.1% |
| Not recorded | 220 | 10.1% |
| Under investigation | 217 | 10.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 107 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 80 | 3.7% |
| Local resolution | 38 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 31 | 1.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 30 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 19 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.2% |
Wakefield South has an estimated population of 16,535. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wakefield South sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wakefield South |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.1% |
| Social rented homes | 17.0% |
| Private rented homes | 17.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 13.8% |
Is Wakefield South a safe place to live?
Wakefield South recorded 131.5 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 South?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 971 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (220).
Is crime in Wakefield South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wakefield South was almost unchanged on the year before: 2,174 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,182 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wakefield South?
Wakefield South 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 South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.