Crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston: statistics, rates and trends
417 crimes were recorded in West Kirby and Thurstaston in the 12 months to July 2026, 31.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 19% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston at a glance
- Crime trends in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- Types of crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- West Kirby and Thurstaston compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- Population and deprivation in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- Questions about crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- About this data
417 crimes were recorded in West Kirby and Thurstaston in the 12 months to July 2026, 31.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 19% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 167 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, West Kirby and Thurstaston has the 3,725th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Kirby and Thurstaston | Wirral | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 417 | 26,231 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 31.7 | 79.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +19% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 13,146 | 328,873 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston was highest in the year to July 2021 (706 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (349). Over the whole period it fell 36%, 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 | 417 | 31.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 349 | 26.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 443 | 33.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 511 | 38.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 562 | 42.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 706 | 53.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 605 | 46.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 578 | 44.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 655 | 49.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 44 |
| June 2026 | 44 |
| May 2026 | 40 |
| April 2026 | 40 |
| March 2026 | 33 |
| February 2026 | 16 |
| January 2026 | 38 |
| December 2025 | 27 |
| November 2025 | 32 |
| October 2025 | 34 |
| September 2025 | 38 |
| August 2025 | 31 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Kirby and Thurstaston 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 public order (+39%) and anti-social behaviour (+32%). The largest falls were in other theft (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 167 | 12.7 | 0.37 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 74 | 5.6 | 0.37 | +32% |
| Public order | 39 | 3.0 | 0.45 | +39% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 35 | 2.7 | 0.39 | -8% |
| Burglary | 29 | 2.2 | 0.62 | +142% |
| Other crime | 21 | 1.6 | 0.76 | +91% |
| Other theft | 17 | 1.3 | 0.20 | -26% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.1 | 0.35 | +7% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.1 | 0.23 | +150% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.18 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.16 | +0% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 40.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 17.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 142% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Kirby and Thurstaston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to West Kirby and Thurstaston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Kirby and Thurstaston.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Kirby and Thurstaston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoylake and Meols | 719 | 57.4 | +81% |
| Greasby, Frankby and Irby | 411 | 29.0 | -9% |
| Moreton West and Saughall Massie | 646 | 48.1 | +52% |
| Upton | 1,596 | 90.8 | +186% |
| Pensby and Thingwall | 412 | 33.6 | +6% |
| Leasowe and Moreton East | 1,168 | 71.9 | +127% |
| Heswall | 449 | 33.1 | +4% |
| Claughton | 1,301 | 86.0 | +171% |
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 West Kirby and Thurstaston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near B5139 | 28 |
| On or near Sandlea Park | 14 |
| On or near Dorset Road | 10 |
| On or near Hillview Avenue | 10 |
| On or near Meadow Road | 10 |
| On or near Riverside | 9 |
| On or near Somerset Road | 9 |
| On or near Carpenter'S Lane | 8 |
| On or near Church Road | 8 |
| On or near Ashmore Close | 7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Kirby and Thurstaston 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 | 142 | 34.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 102 | 24.5% |
| Not recorded | 74 | 17.7% |
| Under investigation | 54 | 12.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 1.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.2% |
West Kirby and Thurstaston has an estimated population of 13,146. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Kirby and Thurstaston sits in decile 8.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Kirby and Thurstaston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.7% |
| Social rented homes | 6.2% |
| Private rented homes | 12.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 |
Is West Kirby and Thurstaston a safe place to live?
West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 31.7 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 West Kirby and Thurstaston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (74).
Is crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston was up 19% on the year before: 417 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 349 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Kirby and Thurstaston?
West Kirby and Thurstaston is policed by Merseyside. 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 West Kirby and Thurstaston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.