Crime in Birmingham: statistics, rates and trends

147,777 crimes were recorded in Birmingham in the 12 months to July 2026, 128.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 63,345 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Birmingham has the 134th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Birmingham was highest in the year to July 2022 (174,264 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (126,713). Over the whole period it rose 17%, 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 Birmingham 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, vehicle crime, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in theft from the person (+19%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-52%).

Violence and sexual offences in Birmingham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Birmingham recorded 63,345 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 42.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Birmingham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Birmingham recorded 12,447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Birmingham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Birmingham recorded 12,091 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Birmingham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Birmingham recorded 11,754 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Birmingham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Birmingham recorded 9,159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Birmingham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Birmingham recorded 9,085 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Birmingham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Birmingham recorded 6,658 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Birmingham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Birmingham recorded 5,968 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Birmingham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Birmingham recorded 4,978 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Birmingham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Birmingham recorded 3,639 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Birmingham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Birmingham recorded 3,599 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Birmingham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Birmingham recorded 2,640 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Birmingham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Birmingham recorded 1,716 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Birmingham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Birmingham recorded 698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

69 areas within Birmingham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ladywood had the highest rate (411.7 per 1,000) and Cofton the lowest (28.6). 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 Birmingham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Birmingham 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.

Birmingham has an estimated population of 1,150,767. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Birmingham sits in decile 2.7, 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 Birmingham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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