Crime in Wem, Shropshire: statistics, rates and trends
556 crimes were recorded in Wem, Shropshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wem, Shropshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Wem, Shropshire
- Types of crime in Wem, Shropshire
- Wem, Shropshire compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Wem, Shropshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wem, Shropshire
- Population and deprivation in Wem, Shropshire
- Questions about crime in Wem, Shropshire
- About this data
556 crimes were recorded in Wem, Shropshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 276 reports (50% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wem, Shropshire has the 2,697th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wem, Shropshire | Shropshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 556 | 19,279 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 57.7 | 58.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 9,629 | 332,455 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wem, Shropshire was highest in the year to July 2019 (779 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (477). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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 | 556 | 57.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 508 | 52.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 477 | 49.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 613 | 63.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 580 | 60.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 681 | 70.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 735 | 76.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 779 | 80.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 709 | 73.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 61 |
| June 2026 | 57 |
| May 2026 | 50 |
| April 2026 | 32 |
| March 2026 | 59 |
| February 2026 | 47 |
| January 2026 | 31 |
| December 2025 | 29 |
| November 2025 | 54 |
| October 2025 | 49 |
| September 2025 | 39 |
| August 2025 | 48 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wem, Shropshire 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 burglary (+42%) and violence and sexual offences (+27%).
The largest falls were in public order (-19%) and criminal damage and arson (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 276 | 28.7 | 0.84 | +27% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 76 | 7.9 | 0.51 | -3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 44 | 4.6 | 0.67 | -19% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.5 | 1.00 | +42% |
| Public order | 30 | 3.1 | 0.47 | -19% |
| Other theft | 28 | 2.9 | 0.45 | +0% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 2.5 | 0.30 | +20% |
| Vehicle crime | 13 | 1.4 | 0.27 | -19% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 1.07 | +11% |
| Other crime | 8 | 0.8 | 0.39 | -53% |
| Drugs | 7 | 0.7 | 0.22 | +133% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.3 | 0.38 | +50% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 0.23 | +50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wem, Shropshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wem, Shropshire recorded 276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 49.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wem, Shropshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wem, Shropshire recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 13.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wem, Shropshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wem, Shropshire recorded 44 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 19% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wem, Shropshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wem, Shropshire recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wem, Shropshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wem, Shropshire recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wem, Shropshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wem, Shropshire recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wem, Shropshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wem, Shropshire recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wem, Shropshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wem, Shropshire recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wem, Shropshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wem, Shropshire 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 up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wem, Shropshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wem, Shropshire recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wem, Shropshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wem, Shropshire recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wem, Shropshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wem, Shropshire recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wem, Shropshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wem, Shropshire recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wem, Shropshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wem, Shropshire.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wem, Shropshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Meres | 96 | 31.7 | -45% |
| Prees | 167 | 34.3 | -41% |
| Shawbury | 121 | 38.3 | -34% |
| Whitchurch West | 225 | 61.6 | +7% |
| Hodnet | 329 | 55.3 | -4% |
| Tern | 276 | 51.0 | -12% |
| Ellesmere Urban | 307 | 60.3 | +4% |
| Whitchurch North | 421 | 79.6 | +38% |
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 Wem, Shropshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 53 |
| On or near Oak Avenue | 45 |
| On or near B5476 | 25 |
| On or near Crown Street | 25 |
| On or near Shawbury Road | 19 |
| On or near The Grove | 17 |
| On or near Park Road | 16 |
| On or near Wem | 16 |
| On or near Bailey Close | 12 |
| On or near Cordwell Park | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wem, Shropshire 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 | 254 | 45.7% |
| Under investigation | 89 | 16.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 80 | 14.4% |
| Not recorded | 76 | 13.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 27 | 4.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Wem, Shropshire has an estimated population of 9,629. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wem, Shropshire sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wem, Shropshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.8% |
| Social rented homes | 11.2% |
| Private rented homes | 16.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is Wem, Shropshire a safe place to live?
Wem, Shropshire recorded 57.7 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 Wem, Shropshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (76).
Is crime in Wem, Shropshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wem, Shropshire was up 9% on the year before: 556 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 508 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wem, Shropshire?
Wem, Shropshire is policed by West Mercia. 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 Wem, Shropshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.