Crime in Barrow-in-Furness: statistics, rates and trends
6,100 crimes were recorded in Barrow-in-Furness in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Barrow-in-Furness at a glance
- Crime trends in Barrow-in-Furness
- Types of crime in Barrow-in-Furness
- Barrow-in-Furness compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Barrow-in-Furness
- Streets with the most crime in Barrow-in-Furness
- What happened after crimes were reported in Barrow-in-Furness
- Population and deprivation in Barrow-in-Furness
- Questions about crime in Barrow-in-Furness
- About this data
6,100 crimes were recorded in Barrow-in-Furness in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,806 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Barrow-in-Furness has the 217th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Barrow-in-Furness | Westmorland and Furness | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 6,100 | 16,685 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 114.4 | 72.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 53,306 | 230,185 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Barrow-in-Furness was highest in the year to July 2019 (7,158 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,100). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 | 6,100 | 114.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 6,182 | 116.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,225 | 116.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,411 | 120.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,846 | 128.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,507 | 122.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,712 | 125.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 7,158 | 134.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 6,840 | 128.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 578 |
| June 2026 | 553 |
| May 2026 | 516 |
| April 2026 | 475 |
| March 2026 | 498 |
| February 2026 | 370 |
| January 2026 | 485 |
| December 2025 | 539 |
| November 2025 | 495 |
| October 2025 | 492 |
| September 2025 | 545 |
| August 2025 | 554 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Barrow-in-Furness 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in robbery (+62%) and burglary (+38%). The largest falls were in other crime (-41%) and anti-social behaviour (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,806 | 52.6 | 1.54 | -2% |
| Public order | 646 | 12.1 | 1.82 | +12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 633 | 11.9 | 1.75 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 467 | 8.8 | 1.06 | +19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 374 | 7.0 | 0.46 | -31% |
| Other theft | 287 | 5.4 | 0.84 | +9% |
| Drugs | 264 | 5.0 | 1.51 | +2% |
| Burglary | 198 | 3.7 | 1.05 | +38% |
| Other crime | 144 | 2.7 | 1.28 | -41% |
| Possession of weapons | 100 | 1.9 | 1.93 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 86 | 1.6 | 0.33 | +6% |
| Bicycle theft | 43 | 0.8 | 0.98 | -2% |
| Robbery | 34 | 0.6 | 0.47 | +62% |
| Theft from the person | 18 | 0.3 | 0.20 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Barrow-in-Furness
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 2,806 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 46.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Barrow-in-Furness
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Barrow-in-Furness
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 633 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Barrow-in-Furness
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Barrow-in-Furness
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 374 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Barrow-in-Furness
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 287 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Barrow-in-Furness
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 264 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Barrow-in-Furness
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Barrow-in-Furness
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Barrow-in-Furness
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Barrow-in-Furness
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Barrow-in-Furness
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Barrow-in-Furness
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Barrow-in-Furness
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barrow-in-Furness recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Barrow-in-Furness, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Barrow-in-Furness.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Barrow-in-Furness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton-in-Furness | 543 | 74.2 | -35% |
| Millom | 293 | 52.4 | -54% |
| Ulverston | 767 | 73.2 | -36% |
| Heysham | 1,206 | 81.3 | -29% |
| Morecambe | 4,629 | 144.5 | +26% |
| Fleetwood | 3,066 | 122.8 | +7% |
| Bolton-le-Sands | 264 | 36.7 | -68% |
| Lancaster | 5,628 | 116.7 | +2% |
5 areas within Barrow-in-Furness, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Old Barrow and Hindpool had the highest rate (279.0 per 1,000) and Walney Island the lowest (46.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Barrow and Hindpool | Neighbourhood | 11,562 | 3,226 | 279.0 |
| Ormsgill and Parkside | Neighbourhood | 10,572 | 1,000 | 94.6 |
| Risedale and Roosecote | Neighbourhood | 11,893 | 841 | 70.7 |
| Hawcoat and Newbarns | Neighbourhood | 11,442 | 693 | 60.6 |
| Walney Island | Neighbourhood | 10,592 | 491 | 46.4 |
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 Barrow-in-Furness over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 336 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 267 |
| On or near Supermarket | 196 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 152 |
| On or near Hospital | 143 |
| On or near Steel Street | 95 |
| On or near Andrews Way | 89 |
| On or near William Street | 84 |
| On or near Stark Street | 80 |
| On or near Brathay Crescent | 57 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barrow-in-Furness 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 | 2,133 | 35.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,271 | 20.8% |
| Under investigation | 816 | 13.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 478 | 7.8% |
| Not recorded | 374 | 6.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 325 | 5.3% |
| Local resolution | 254 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 185 | 3.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 84 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 68 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 63 | 1.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 29 | 0.5% |
Barrow-in-Furness has an estimated population of 53,306. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barrow-in-Furness sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Barrow-in-Furness |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.4% |
| Social rented homes | 12.7% |
| Private rented homes | 17.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 24.2% |
Is Barrow-in-Furness a safe place to live?
Barrow-in-Furness recorded 114.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Barrow-in-Furness?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,806 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (646).
Is crime in Barrow-in-Furness going up or down?
Recorded crime in Barrow-in-Furness was down 1% on the year before: 6,100 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 6,182 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Barrow-in-Furness?
Barrow-in-Furness is policed by Cumbria. 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 Barrow-in-Furness. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.