Crime in Congleton: statistics, rates and trends

2,329 crimes were recorded in Congleton in the 12 months to July 2026, 70.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,117 reports (48% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Congleton has the 789th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Congleton was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,818 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (245). 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 Congleton 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 public order.

The largest increases were in other crime (+39%) and drugs (+13%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-25%) and possession of weapons (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Congleton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Congleton recorded 1,117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 48.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Congleton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Congleton recorded 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Congleton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Congleton recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Congleton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Congleton recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Congleton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Congleton recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Congleton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Congleton recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Congleton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Congleton recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Congleton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Congleton recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Congleton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Congleton recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Congleton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Congleton recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Congleton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Congleton recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Congleton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Congleton recorded 11 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 down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Congleton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Congleton recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Congleton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Congleton recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 79% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

3 areas within Congleton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Congleton West had the highest rate (79.4 per 1,000) and Brereton Rural the lowest (44.1). 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 Congleton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Congleton 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.

Congleton has an estimated population of 33,235. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Congleton sits in decile 7.2, less 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 Congleton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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