Crime in Cottingham: statistics, rates and trends

918 crimes were recorded in Cottingham in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.3 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 307 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Cottingham has the 821st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cottingham was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,321 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (812). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 Cottingham 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 burglary, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in other theft (+92%) and vehicle crime (+67%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-17%) and public order (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cottingham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cottingham recorded 307 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 33.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cottingham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cottingham recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cottingham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cottingham recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cottingham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cottingham recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cottingham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cottingham recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cottingham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cottingham recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cottingham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cottingham recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cottingham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cottingham recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cottingham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cottingham recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cottingham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cottingham recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cottingham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cottingham recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cottingham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cottingham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cottingham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cottingham recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cottingham

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

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

2 areas within Cottingham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cottingham South had the highest rate (69.0 per 1,000) and Cottingham North the lowest (63.8). 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 Cottingham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cottingham 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.

Cottingham has an estimated population of 13,447. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cottingham sits in decile 7.8, 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 Cottingham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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