Crime in Cradley Heath: statistics, rates and trends
1,808 crimes were recorded in Cradley Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Cradley Heath at a glance
- Crime trends in Cradley Heath
- Types of crime in Cradley Heath
- Cradley Heath compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Cradley Heath
- Streets with the most crime in Cradley Heath
- What happened after crimes were reported in Cradley Heath
- Population and deprivation in Cradley Heath
- Questions about crime in Cradley Heath
- About this data
1,808 crimes were recorded in Cradley Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 903 reports (50% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Cradley Heath has the 422nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cradley Heath | Sandwell | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,808 | 36,124 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 94.6 | 102.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 19,121 | 353,860 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cradley Heath was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,223 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,617). Over the whole period it rose 12%, 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 | 1,808 | 94.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,925 | 100.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,962 | 102.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,210 | 115.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,223 | 116.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,140 | 111.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,716 | 89.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,794 | 93.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,617 | 84.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 192 |
| June 2026 | 143 |
| May 2026 | 154 |
| April 2026 | 170 |
| March 2026 | 146 |
| February 2026 | 135 |
| January 2026 | 135 |
| December 2025 | 139 |
| November 2025 | 143 |
| October 2025 | 161 |
| September 2025 | 133 |
| August 2025 | 157 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cradley Heath 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, vehicle crime, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+73%) and drugs (+39%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-47%) and shoplifting (-42%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 903 | 47.2 | 1.38 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 158 | 8.3 | 1.22 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 124 | 6.5 | 1.32 | -18% |
| Public order | 107 | 5.6 | 0.84 | -15% |
| Other theft | 96 | 5.0 | 0.79 | -28% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 91 | 4.8 | 0.31 | -47% |
| Burglary | 74 | 3.9 | 1.09 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 71 | 3.7 | 0.45 | -42% |
| Possession of weapons | 52 | 2.7 | 2.80 | +73% |
| Drugs | 46 | 2.4 | 0.74 | +39% |
| Other crime | 39 | 2.0 | 0.97 | -26% |
| Robbery | 31 | 1.6 | 1.20 | -22% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.5 | 0.28 | -18% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.44 | +40% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cradley Heath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cradley Heath recorded 903 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 49.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cradley Heath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cradley Heath recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cradley Heath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cradley Heath recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cradley Heath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cradley Heath recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cradley Heath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cradley Heath recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Cradley Heath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cradley Heath recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Cradley Heath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cradley Heath recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Cradley Heath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cradley Heath recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cradley Heath
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cradley Heath recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cradley Heath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cradley Heath recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cradley Heath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cradley Heath recorded 39 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 down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cradley Heath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cradley Heath recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cradley Heath
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cradley Heath recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cradley Heath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cradley Heath recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Cradley Heath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cradley Heath.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Cradley Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halesowen | 3,658 | 60.0 | -37% |
| Blackheath | 1,192 | 132.6 | +40% |
| Rowley Regis | 3,101 | 80.8 | -15% |
| Brierley Hill | 3,630 | 115.3 | +22% |
| Dudley (Dudley) | 7,146 | 113.1 | +20% |
| Oldbury (Sandwell) | 4,416 | 93.9 | -1% |
| Stourbridge | 4,098 | 69.6 | -26% |
| Kingswinford | 2,829 | 54.0 | -43% |
1 areas within Cradley Heath, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cradley Heath and Old Hill had the highest rate (96.6 per 1,000) and Cradley Heath and Old Hill the lowest (96.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradley Heath and Old Hill | Neighbourhood | 15,691 | 1,516 | 96.6 |
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 Cradley Heath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 124 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 71 |
| On or near Queen Street | 47 |
| On or near Peartree Lane | 46 |
| On or near Woods Lane | 42 |
| On or near Beechcroft Road | 40 |
| On or near Meadow Walk | 35 |
| On or near Waggon Street | 35 |
| On or near Supermarket | 33 |
| On or near Church Street | 32 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cradley Heath 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 | 828 | 45.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 485 | 26.8% |
| Under investigation | 117 | 6.5% |
| Local resolution | 96 | 5.3% |
| Not recorded | 91 | 5.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 83 | 4.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 41 | 2.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 30 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 20 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 16 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Cradley Heath has an estimated population of 19,121. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cradley Heath sits in decile 3.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cradley Heath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 54.2% |
| Social rented homes | 28.0% |
| Private rented homes | 17.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.1 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 21.6% |
Is Cradley Heath a safe place to live?
Cradley Heath recorded 94.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Cradley Heath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 903 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (158).
Is crime in Cradley Heath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cradley Heath was down 6% on the year before: 1,808 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,925 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cradley Heath?
Cradley Heath is policed by West Midlands. 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 Cradley Heath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.