Crime in Willaston & Thornton: statistics, rates and trends
127 crimes were recorded in Willaston & Thornton in the 12 months to July 2026, 28.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Willaston & Thornton at a glance
- Crime trends in Willaston & Thornton
- Types of crime in Willaston & Thornton
- Willaston & Thornton compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Willaston & Thornton
- What happened after crimes were reported in Willaston & Thornton
- Population and deprivation in Willaston & Thornton
- Questions about crime in Willaston & Thornton
- About this data
127 crimes were recorded in Willaston & Thornton in the 12 months to July 2026, 28.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 54 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Willaston & Thornton has the 3,787th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Willaston & Thornton | Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 127 | 27,080 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 28.9 | 72.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 4,393 | 371,652 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Willaston & Thornton was highest in the year to July 2021 (206 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (127). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 | 127 | 28.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 137 | 31.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 160 | 36.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 185 | 42.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 187 | 42.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 206 | 46.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 205 | 46.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 143 | 32.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 159 | 36.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 10 |
| June 2026 | 19 |
| May 2026 | 7 |
| April 2026 | 9 |
| March 2026 | 8 |
| February 2026 | 12 |
| January 2026 | 10 |
| December 2025 | 6 |
| November 2025 | 10 |
| October 2025 | 10 |
| September 2025 | 17 |
| August 2025 | 9 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Willaston & Thornton 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 falls were in public order (-40%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 54 | 12.3 | 0.36 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 18 | 4.1 | 0.27 | +20% |
| Public order | 12 | 2.7 | 0.41 | -40% |
| Burglary | 9 | 2.0 | 0.58 | -44% |
| Other theft | 9 | 2.0 | 0.32 | -18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 6 | 1.4 | 0.20 | -33% |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.4 | 0.42 | +20% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.9 | 0.43 | +100% |
| Vehicle crime | 4 | 0.9 | 0.18 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.5 | 0.55 | +100% |
| Shoplifting | 2 | 0.5 | 0.05 | +100% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.17 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Willaston & Thornton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Willaston & Thornton recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 42.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Willaston & Thornton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Willaston & Thornton recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 14.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Willaston & Thornton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Willaston & Thornton recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Willaston & Thornton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Willaston & Thornton recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Willaston & Thornton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Willaston & Thornton recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Willaston & Thornton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Willaston & Thornton recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Willaston & Thornton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Willaston & Thornton recorded 6 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 up 20% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Willaston & Thornton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Willaston & Thornton recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Willaston & Thornton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Willaston & Thornton recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Willaston & Thornton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Willaston & Thornton recorded 2 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 up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Willaston & Thornton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Willaston & Thornton recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Willaston & Thornton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Willaston & Thornton recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Willaston & Thornton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Willaston & Thornton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Willaston & Thornton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledsham & Manor | 333 | 31.0 | +7% |
| Netherpool | 272 | 55.3 | +91% |
| Sutton Villages | 849 | 80.8 | +180% |
| Little Neston | 231 | 35.9 | +24% |
| Neston | 411 | 97.3 | +236% |
| Parkgate | 133 | 23.5 | -19% |
| Westminster | 879 | 127.5 | +341% |
| Central & Grange | 1,926 | 121.3 | +320% |
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 Willaston & Thornton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Valentine Street | 11 |
| On or near Heath Lane | 9 |
| On or near New Road | 9 |
| On or near Old Farm Close | 8 |
| On or near Vernon Avenue | 8 |
| On or near Hooton | 5 |
| On or near Barrel Court | 4 |
| On or near Hallwood Drive | 4 |
| On or near Sentry Grove | 4 |
| On or near Waterworks Lane | 4 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Willaston & Thornton 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 | 45 | 35.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 35 | 27.6% |
| Not recorded | 18 | 14.2% |
| Under investigation | 10 | 7.9% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 5.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 4.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 2 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.8% |
Willaston & Thornton has an estimated population of 4,393. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Willaston & Thornton sits in decile 8.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Willaston & Thornton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 83.3% |
| Social rented homes | 5.7% |
| Private rented homes | 10.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 |
Is Willaston & Thornton a safe place to live?
Willaston & Thornton recorded 28.9 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 Willaston & Thornton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (18).
Is crime in Willaston & Thornton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Willaston & Thornton was down 7% on the year before: 127 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 137 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Willaston & Thornton?
Willaston & Thornton is policed by Cheshire. 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 Willaston & Thornton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.