Crime in Carlisle: statistics, rates and trends

9,352 crimes were recorded in Carlisle in the 12 months to July 2026, 117.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,093 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Carlisle has the 190th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Carlisle was highest in the year to July 2019 (11,369 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (9,168). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Carlisle 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 (+50%) and possession of weapons (+41%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-39%) and vehicle crime (-15%).

Violence and sexual offences in Carlisle

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Carlisle recorded 4,093 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (51.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 43.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Carlisle

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Carlisle recorded 1,062 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Carlisle

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Carlisle recorded 868 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Carlisle

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Carlisle recorded 828 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Carlisle

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Carlisle recorded 508 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Carlisle

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Carlisle recorded 499 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 up 13% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Carlisle

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Carlisle recorded 493 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Carlisle

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Carlisle recorded 270 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 1% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Carlisle

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Carlisle recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Carlisle

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Carlisle recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Carlisle

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Carlisle recorded 149 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 up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Carlisle

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Carlisle recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Carlisle

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Carlisle recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Carlisle

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Carlisle recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Carlisle, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (448.9 per 1,000) and Dalston and Burgh the lowest (35.3). 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 Carlisle over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Carlisle 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.

Carlisle has an estimated population of 79,388. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Carlisle sits in decile 4.6, close to the middle. 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 Carlisle. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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