Crime in Dewsbury: statistics, rates and trends

8,318 crimes were recorded in Dewsbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 127.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,628 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dewsbury has the 140th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Dewsbury was highest in the year to July 2019 (10,781 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (8,318). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 Dewsbury 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 drugs (+60%) and shoplifting (+12%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-32%) and bicycle theft (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Dewsbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dewsbury recorded 3,628 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 43.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Dewsbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dewsbury recorded 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Dewsbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dewsbury recorded 760 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Dewsbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dewsbury recorded 608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Dewsbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dewsbury recorded 490 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Dewsbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dewsbury recorded 442 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Dewsbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dewsbury recorded 407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Dewsbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dewsbury recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Dewsbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dewsbury recorded 295 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Dewsbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dewsbury recorded 291 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Dewsbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dewsbury recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Dewsbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dewsbury recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Dewsbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dewsbury recorded 43 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 down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Dewsbury

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dewsbury recorded 23 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 down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

3 areas within Dewsbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Dewsbury East had the highest rate (160.4 per 1,000) and Dewsbury South the lowest (87.4). 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 Dewsbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dewsbury 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.

Dewsbury has an estimated population of 65,487. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dewsbury sits in decile 2.4, 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 Dewsbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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