Crime in Barnsley: statistics, rates and trends

11,248 crimes were recorded in Barnsley in the 12 months to July 2026, 153.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher 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 3,954 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Barnsley has the 59th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Barnsley was highest in the year to July 2018 (13,196 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (10,735). Over the whole period it fell 15%, 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 Barnsley 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, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in drugs (+11%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-24%) and burglary (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Barnsley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barnsley recorded 3,954 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 35.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Barnsley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barnsley recorded 1,740 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 15.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Barnsley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barnsley recorded 1,008 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Barnsley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barnsley recorded 995 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Barnsley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barnsley recorded 968 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Barnsley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barnsley recorded 607 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Barnsley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barnsley recorded 448 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Barnsley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barnsley recorded 429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than 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.

Other crime in Barnsley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barnsley recorded 389 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Barnsley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barnsley recorded 351 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Barnsley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barnsley recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Barnsley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barnsley recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Barnsley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barnsley recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Barnsley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barnsley recorded 39 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 8% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Barnsley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kingstone had the highest rate (271.5 per 1,000) and Old Town the lowest (121.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Barnsley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barnsley 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.

Barnsley has an estimated population of 73,493. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barnsley sits in decile 3.2, 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 Barnsley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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