Crime in Wales: statistics, rates and trends
745 crimes were recorded in Wales in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
745 crimes were recorded in Wales in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 248 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wales has the 2,154th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wales | Rotherham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 745 | 30,695 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 71.8 | 111.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 10,383 | 276,595 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wales was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,086 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (706). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 | 745 | 71.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 706 | 68.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 716 | 69.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 747 | 71.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 710 | 68.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 746 | 71.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 921 | 88.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 957 | 92.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,086 | 104.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 81 |
| June 2026 | 77 |
| May 2026 | 80 |
| April 2026 | 83 |
| March 2026 | 57 |
| February 2026 | 55 |
| January 2026 | 58 |
| December 2025 | 46 |
| November 2025 | 53 |
| October 2025 | 47 |
| September 2025 | 63 |
| August 2025 | 45 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wales 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. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+74%) and anti-social behaviour (+30%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-45%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 248 | 23.9 | 0.70 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 146 | 14.1 | 0.92 | +30% |
| Shoplifting | 80 | 7.7 | 0.93 | +74% |
| Public order | 51 | 4.9 | 0.74 | +13% |
| Vehicle crime | 50 | 4.8 | 0.98 | -45% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 48 | 4.6 | 0.68 | -9% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.3 | 0.93 | +10% |
| Other theft | 31 | 3.0 | 0.47 | +15% |
| Other crime | 22 | 2.1 | 1.00 | +0% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.4 | 0.44 | -21% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 0.99 | -9% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.9 | 0.64 | +80% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wales
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wales recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 33.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wales
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wales recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 19.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wales
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wales recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 74% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wales
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wales recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wales
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wales recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wales
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wales recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wales
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wales recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wales
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wales recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wales
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wales recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wales
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wales recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wales
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wales recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wales
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wales recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wales
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wales recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wales, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wales.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston & Todwick | 440 | 46.8 | -35% |
| Anston & Woodsetts | 796 | 65.9 | -8% |
| Aughton & Swallownest | 814 | 106.5 | +48% |
| Dinnington | 1,447 | 115.2 | +61% |
| Thurcroft & Wickersley South | 1,024 | 100.9 | +41% |
| Rother Vale | 776 | 68.5 | -5% |
| Sitwell | 769 | 56.4 | -21% |
| Brinsworth | 738 | 69.7 | -3% |
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 Wales over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Dowcarr Lane | 76 |
| On or near Victoria Close | 48 |
| On or near Wales Road | 39 |
| On or near Chestnut Avenue | 30 |
| On or near Wallingfield Court | 27 |
| On or near Manor Road | 19 |
| On or near Walseker Lane | 18 |
| On or near Norwood Crescent | 16 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 16 |
| On or near Kiveton Bridge | 15 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wales 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 | 241 | 32.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 212 | 28.5% |
| Not recorded | 146 | 19.6% |
| Under investigation | 72 | 9.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 20 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Wales has an estimated population of 10,383. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wales sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wales |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.0% |
| Social rented homes | 12.7% |
| Private rented homes | 15.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.0 |
Is Wales a safe place to live?
Wales recorded 71.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Wales?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (146).
Is crime in Wales going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wales was up 6% on the year before: 745 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 706 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wales?
Wales is policed by South 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 Wales. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.