Crime in Darlaston: statistics, rates and trends

2,176 crimes were recorded in Darlaston in the 12 months to July 2026, 104.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,013 reports (47% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Darlaston has the 303rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Darlaston was highest in the year to July 2023 (2,548 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,778). Over the whole period it rose 22%, 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 Darlaston 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, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+39%) and vehicle crime (+37%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-44%) and robbery (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Darlaston

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Darlaston recorded 1,013 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 46.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Darlaston

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Darlaston recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Darlaston

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Darlaston recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Darlaston

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Darlaston recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Darlaston

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Darlaston recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Darlaston

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Darlaston recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Darlaston

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Darlaston recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Darlaston

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Darlaston recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Darlaston

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Darlaston recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Darlaston

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Darlaston recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Darlaston

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Darlaston recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Darlaston

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Darlaston recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Darlaston

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Darlaston recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Darlaston

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Darlaston recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

1 areas within Darlaston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Darlaston South had the highest rate (91.1 per 1,000) and Darlaston South the lowest (91.1). 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 Darlaston over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Darlaston 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.

Darlaston has an estimated population of 20,751. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Darlaston sits in decile 1.9, more 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 Darlaston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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