Crime in Boston Spa: statistics, rates and trends
244 crimes were recorded in Boston Spa in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Boston Spa at a glance
- Crime trends in Boston Spa
- Types of crime in Boston Spa
- Boston Spa compared with nearby towns
- Streets with the most crime in Boston Spa
- What happened after crimes were reported in Boston Spa
- Population and deprivation in Boston Spa
- Questions about crime in Boston Spa
- About this data
244 crimes were recorded in Boston Spa in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 117 reports (48% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Boston Spa has the 1,305th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Boston Spa | Leeds | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 244 | 106,410 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 39.7 | 125.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 6,139 | 845,189 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Boston Spa was highest in the year to July 2019 (467 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (230). 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 | 244 | 39.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 230 | 37.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 231 | 37.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 338 | 55.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 347 | 56.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 312 | 50.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 374 | 60.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 467 | 76.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 306 | 49.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 24 |
| June 2026 | 40 |
| May 2026 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 18 |
| March 2026 | 19 |
| February 2026 | 8 |
| January 2026 | 22 |
| December 2025 | 24 |
| November 2025 | 12 |
| October 2025 | 18 |
| September 2025 | 17 |
| August 2025 | 18 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Boston Spa 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 increases were in anti-social behaviour (+29%). The largest falls were in public order (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 117 | 19.1 | 0.56 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 31 | 5.0 | 0.33 | +29% |
| Public order | 20 | 3.3 | 0.49 | -13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 17 | 2.8 | 0.41 | +21% |
| Other theft | 15 | 2.4 | 0.38 | +15% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.6 | 0.77 | -9% |
| Burglary | 9 | 1.5 | 0.41 | +12% |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.5 | 0.45 | +200% |
| Vehicle crime | 9 | 1.5 | 0.30 | -50% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 0.50 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 0.24 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.20 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 1 | 0.2 | 0.02 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Boston Spa
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Boston Spa recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 48.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Boston Spa
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Boston Spa recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 12.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Boston Spa
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Boston Spa recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Boston Spa
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Boston Spa recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Boston Spa
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Boston Spa recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Boston Spa
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Boston Spa recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Boston Spa
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Boston Spa recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Boston Spa
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Boston Spa recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Boston Spa
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Boston Spa recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Boston Spa
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Boston Spa recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Boston Spa
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Boston Spa recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Boston Spa
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Boston Spa recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Boston Spa
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Boston Spa recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Boston Spa, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Boston Spa.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Boston Spa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wetherby | 835 | 69.9 | +76% |
| Tadcaster | 388 | 51.7 | +30% |
| Garforth | 1,076 | 67.4 | +70% |
| Sherburn in Elmet | 507 | 54.8 | +38% |
| Knaresborough | 1,079 | 64.2 | +61% |
| Kippax | 587 | 57.9 | +46% |
| Harrogate | 5,380 | 69.4 | +75% |
| Leeds | 82,589 | 147.3 | +271% |
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 Spa over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Queen'S Road | 29 |
| On or near Winnow Lane | 23 |
| On or near Nursery Way | 13 |
| On or near Shires Court | 9 |
| On or near Low Way | 8 |
| On or near Cinder Lane | 7 |
| On or near Bellwood Avenue | 6 |
| On or near Lonsdale Meadows | 6 |
| On or near Chestnut Grove | 5 |
| On or near Church Street | 5 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Boston Spa 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 | 85 | 34.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 75 | 30.7% |
| Not recorded | 31 | 12.7% |
| Under investigation | 27 | 11.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 2.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 5 | 2.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 1.2% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% |
Boston Spa has an estimated population of 6,139. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Boston Spa sits in decile 8.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Boston Spa |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 79.4% |
| Social rented homes | 10.2% |
| Private rented homes | 10.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.9 |
Is Boston Spa a safe place to live?
Boston Spa recorded 39.7 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 Boston Spa?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (31).
Is crime in Boston Spa going up or down?
Recorded crime in Boston Spa was up 6% on the year before: 244 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 230 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Boston Spa?
Boston Spa is policed by West Yorkshire. 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 Boston Spa. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.