Crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston: statistics, rates and trends
419 crimes were recorded in West Kirby and Thurstaston in the 12 months to August 2026, 31.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 19% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of West Kirby and Thurstaston
- Questions about crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (166), anti-social behaviour (77) and public order (43) made up 68% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,720th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | West Kirby and Thurstaston | Wirral | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 419 | 26,029 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 31.9 | 79.1 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +19% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 13,146 | 328,873 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston peaked in the year to August 2021 (678 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2025 (351). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 36%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 419 | 31.9 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 351 | 26.7 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 434 | 33.0 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 502 | 38.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 570 | 43.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 678 | 51.6 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 635 | 48.3 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 566 | 43.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 652 | 49.6 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 33 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (63% below) and anti-social behaviour (62% below) were well below it. On the year before, public order rose from 28 to 43 and anti-social behaviour rose from 59 to 77.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 166 | 12.6 | 34.2 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 77 | 5.9 | 15.4 | +31% |
| Public order | 43 | 3.3 | 6.7 | +54% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 2.7 | 6.7 | 0% |
| Burglary | 25 | 1.9 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 21 | 1.6 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Other theft | 16 | 1.2 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.1 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than West Kirby and Thurstaston; the highest is Upton, Wirral (90.0 per 1,000) and the lowest Greasby, Frankby and Irby (26.8).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Kirby and Thurstaston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoylake and Meols | 727 | 58.1 | +82% |
| Greasby, Frankby and Irby | 379 | 26.8 | -16% |
| Moreton West and Saughall Massie | 638 | 47.5 | +49% |
| Upton | 1,582 | 90.0 | +182% |
| Pensby and Thingwall | 412 | 33.6 | +5% |
| Leasowe and Moreton East | 1,153 | 70.9 | +123% |
| Heswall | 454 | 33.5 | +5% |
| Claughton | 1,304 | 86.2 | +171% |
The 10 locations below account for 27% of the crime recorded in West Kirby and Thurstaston over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “B5139” (28).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near B5139 | 28 |
| On or near Sandlea Park | 16 |
| On or near Carpenter'S Lane | 12 |
| On or near Meadow Road | 11 |
| On or near Dorset Road | 9 |
| On or near Church Road | 8 |
| On or near Hillview Avenue | 8 |
| On or near Riverside | 8 |
| On or near Somerset Road | 8 |
| On or near Ashmore Close | 7 |
Of the 342 crimes in West Kirby and Thurstaston with a recorded outcome, 30% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 77 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 141 | 41.2% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 104 | 30.4% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 48 | 14.0% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 13 | 3.8% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 2.6% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 2.3% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 2.3% | 3.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.2% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.9% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% | 0.6% |
West Kirby and Thurstaston has an estimated population of 13,146 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (6.2%, against 17.1%), an older population (30%, against 19%) and more retired residents (34%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up West Kirby and Thurstaston average decile 8.6 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | West Kirby and Thurstaston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.9% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 51.2% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 33.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 47.4% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.6% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 14.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.7% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 6.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 12.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 | 5.5 (England) |
Is West Kirby and Thurstaston a safe place to live?
West Kirby and Thurstaston recorded 31.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,720th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in West Kirby and Thurstaston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 166 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (77).
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: 419 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 351 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of West Kirby and Thurstaston?
About 13,146 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 30% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers West Kirby and Thurstaston?
West Kirby and Thurstaston is policed by Merseyside.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.