Crime in Wakefield West: statistics, rates and trends
2,490 crimes were recorded in Wakefield West in the 12 months to July 2026, 167.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wakefield West at a glance
- Crime trends in Wakefield West
- Types of crime in Wakefield West
- Wakefield West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Wakefield West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wakefield West
- Population and deprivation in Wakefield West
- Questions about crime in Wakefield West
- About this data
2,490 crimes were recorded in Wakefield West in the 12 months to July 2026, 167.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,068 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wakefield West has the 316th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wakefield West | Wakefield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,490 | 43,130 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 167.6 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 14,854 | 367,666 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wakefield West was highest in the year to July 2023 (3,149 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,490). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 2,490 | 167.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,751 | 185.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,947 | 198.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,149 | 212.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,058 | 205.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,658 | 178.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,522 | 169.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,535 | 170.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,509 | 168.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 262 |
| June 2026 | 240 |
| May 2026 | 260 |
| April 2026 | 199 |
| March 2026 | 220 |
| February 2026 | 173 |
| January 2026 | 190 |
| December 2025 | 175 |
| November 2025 | 219 |
| October 2025 | 183 |
| September 2025 | 161 |
| August 2025 | 208 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wakefield West 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, public order.
The largest increases were in robbery (+65%) and other crime (+15%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-36%) and other theft (-35%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,068 | 71.9 | 2.10 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 254 | 17.1 | 1.11 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 225 | 15.1 | 1.83 | +5% |
| Public order | 189 | 12.7 | 1.92 | -11% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 175 | 11.8 | 1.74 | -6% |
| Other theft | 155 | 10.4 | 1.63 | -35% |
| Vehicle crime | 100 | 6.7 | 1.37 | -7% |
| Other crime | 93 | 6.3 | 2.96 | +15% |
| Burglary | 88 | 5.9 | 1.68 | -13% |
| Drugs | 62 | 4.2 | 1.28 | -24% |
| Robbery | 38 | 2.6 | 1.89 | +65% |
| Bicycle theft | 19 | 1.3 | 1.55 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 16 | 1.1 | 1.11 | -36% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.5 | 0.32 | -38% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wakefield West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wakefield West recorded 1,068 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (71.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 42.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wakefield West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wakefield West recorded 254 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wakefield West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wakefield West recorded 225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wakefield West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wakefield West recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wakefield West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wakefield West recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wakefield West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wakefield West recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wakefield West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wakefield West recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wakefield West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wakefield West recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wakefield West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wakefield West recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wakefield West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wakefield West recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wakefield West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wakefield West recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 65% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wakefield West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wakefield West recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wakefield West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wakefield West recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wakefield West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wakefield West recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wakefield West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wakefield West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wakefield West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield North | 3,312 | 173.0 | +3% |
| Horbury and South Ossett | 1,143 | 75.4 | -55% |
| Wakefield East | 3,891 | 227.8 | +36% |
| Wakefield South | 2,174 | 131.5 | -22% |
| Wrenthorpe and Outwood West | 1,500 | 83.6 | -50% |
| Ossett | 1,326 | 80.1 | -52% |
| Wakefield Rural | 1,283 | 71.8 | -57% |
| Stanley and Outwood East | 1,581 | 76.9 | -54% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 181 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 144 |
| On or near Lawefield Way | 74 |
| On or near Roundwood Rise | 57 |
| On or near Snapethorpe Crescent | 53 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 46 |
| On or near Esther Grove | 45 |
| On or near Parking Area | 45 |
| On or near Cobb Avenue | 43 |
| On or near Cedar View | 39 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wakefield West 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 | 859 | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 699 | 28.1% |
| Under investigation | 306 | 12.3% |
| Not recorded | 254 | 10.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 114 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 98 | 3.9% |
| Local resolution | 48 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 37 | 1.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 30 | 1.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.3% |
Wakefield West has an estimated population of 14,854. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wakefield West sits in decile 2.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wakefield West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 49.8% |
| Social rented homes | 38.7% |
| Private rented homes | 11.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 47.4% |
Is Wakefield West a safe place to live?
Wakefield West recorded 167.6 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 West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,068 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (254).
Is crime in Wakefield West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wakefield West was down 9% on the year before: 2,490 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,751 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wakefield West?
Wakefield West 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 West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.