Crime in Boston: statistics, rates and trends

6,139 crimes were recorded in Boston in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,112 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Boston has the 89th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Boston was highest in the year to July 2020 (6,441 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (5,294). Over the whole period it rose 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 Boston 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, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+63%) and burglary (+42%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-59%) and drugs (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Boston

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Boston recorded 2,112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 34.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Boston

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Boston recorded 1,340 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 21.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Boston

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Boston recorded 685 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Boston

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Boston recorded 419 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Boston

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Boston recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Boston

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Boston recorded 277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Boston

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Boston recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Boston

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Boston recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Boston

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Boston recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Boston

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Boston recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to 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.

Bicycle theft in Boston

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Boston recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Boston

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Boston recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Boston

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Boston recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Boston

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Boston recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 59% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Boston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Station had the highest rate (340.5 per 1,000) and West the lowest (29.8). 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 Boston over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Boston 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.

Boston has an estimated population of 44,198. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Boston sits in decile 3.6, 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 Boston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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