Crime in Western: statistics, rates and trends

2,443 crimes were recorded in Western in the 12 months to July 2026, 117.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,033 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Western has the 858th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Western was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,044 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,443). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Western 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, criminal damage and arson, public order.

The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+21%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-52%) and other crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Western

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Western recorded 1,033 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 42.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Western

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Western recorded 315 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Western

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Western recorded 265 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Western

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Western recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Western

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Western recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Western

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Western recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Western

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Western recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Western

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Western recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Western

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Western recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Western

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Western recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Western

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Western recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Western

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Western recorded 20 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 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Western

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Western recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Western

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Western recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Western, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Western.

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 Western over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Western 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.

Western has an estimated population of 20,727. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Western sits in decile 2.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Western. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.