Crime in Dudley (Dudley): statistics, rates and trends
7,146 crimes were recorded in Dudley (Dudley) in the 12 months to July 2026, 113.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dudley (Dudley) at a glance
- Crime trends in Dudley (Dudley)
- Types of crime in Dudley (Dudley)
- Dudley (Dudley) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Dudley (Dudley)
- Streets with the most crime in Dudley (Dudley)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dudley (Dudley)
- Population and deprivation in Dudley (Dudley)
- Questions about crime in Dudley (Dudley)
- About this data
7,146 crimes were recorded in Dudley (Dudley) in the 12 months to July 2026, 113.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,160 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dudley (Dudley) has the 234th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dudley (Dudley) | Dudley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 7,146 | 26,511 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 113.1 | 79.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 63,187 | 331,930 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dudley (Dudley) was highest in the year to July 2022 (9,559 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (6,651). Over the whole period it rose 7%, 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 | 7,146 | 113.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 7,440 | 117.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 7,681 | 121.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 8,342 | 132.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 9,559 | 151.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 8,122 | 128.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 7,062 | 111.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 7,315 | 115.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 6,651 | 105.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 729 |
| June 2026 | 766 |
| May 2026 | 652 |
| April 2026 | 620 |
| March 2026 | 633 |
| February 2026 | 503 |
| January 2026 | 499 |
| December 2025 | 531 |
| November 2025 | 512 |
| October 2025 | 587 |
| September 2025 | 531 |
| August 2025 | 583 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dudley (Dudley) 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, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+22%) and public order (+19%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-58%) and bicycle theft (-46%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,160 | 50.0 | 1.46 | +0% |
| Shoplifting | 645 | 10.2 | 1.23 | +11% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 631 | 10.0 | 1.47 | +3% |
| Vehicle crime | 556 | 8.8 | 1.79 | -12% |
| Public order | 461 | 7.3 | 1.10 | +19% |
| Other theft | 390 | 6.2 | 0.97 | -14% |
| Burglary | 318 | 5.0 | 1.42 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 249 | 3.9 | 0.26 | -58% |
| Drugs | 192 | 3.0 | 0.93 | +6% |
| Possession of weapons | 185 | 2.9 | 3.02 | +22% |
| Other crime | 172 | 2.7 | 1.29 | +14% |
| Robbery | 130 | 2.1 | 1.52 | -2% |
| Theft from the person | 43 | 0.7 | 0.40 | -23% |
| Bicycle theft | 14 | 0.2 | 0.27 | -46% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dudley (Dudley)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 3,160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 44.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dudley (Dudley)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dudley (Dudley)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 631 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dudley (Dudley)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 556 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dudley (Dudley)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 461 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dudley (Dudley)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 390 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dudley (Dudley)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 318 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dudley (Dudley)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dudley (Dudley)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dudley (Dudley)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dudley (Dudley)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dudley (Dudley)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dudley (Dudley)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dudley (Dudley) 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 23% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dudley (Dudley)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dudley (Dudley) recorded 14 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 46% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Dudley (Dudley), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dudley (Dudley).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dudley (Dudley) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowley Regis | 3,101 | 80.8 | -29% |
| Coseley | 1,960 | 76.3 | -33% |
| Sedgley | 2,244 | 68.8 | -39% |
| Cradley Heath | 1,808 | 94.6 | -16% |
| Brierley Hill | 3,630 | 115.3 | +2% |
| Tipton | 4,527 | 96.7 | -14% |
| Blackheath | 1,192 | 132.6 | +17% |
| Kingswinford | 2,829 | 54.0 | -52% |
5 areas within Dudley (Dudley), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St. James's had the highest rate (148.0 per 1,000) and Quarry Bank & Dudley Wood the lowest (75.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James's | Neighbourhood | 14,368 | 2,127 | 148.0 |
| St. Thomas's | Neighbourhood | 18,305 | 2,264 | 123.7 |
| Castle & Priory | Neighbourhood | 15,170 | 1,743 | 114.9 |
| Netherton & Holly Hall | Neighbourhood | 15,378 | 1,351 | 87.9 |
| Quarry Bank & Dudley Wood | Neighbourhood | 13,846 | 1,045 | 75.5 |
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 Dudley (Dudley) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 237 |
| On or near Castle Street | 228 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 204 |
| On or near Supermarket | 174 |
| On or near Union Street | 173 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 169 |
| On or near Stone Street | 104 |
| On or near Buffery Road | 99 |
| On or near New Street | 79 |
| On or near Grange Road | 73 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dudley (Dudley) 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 | 2,822 | 39.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,365 | 33.1% |
| Under investigation | 695 | 9.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 421 | 5.9% |
| Not recorded | 249 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 189 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 165 | 2.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 113 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 69 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 55 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
Dudley (Dudley) has an estimated population of 63,187. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dudley (Dudley) sits in decile 2.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dudley (Dudley) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.9% |
| Social rented homes | 27.5% |
| Private rented homes | 19.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 38.5% |
Is Dudley (Dudley) a safe place to live?
Dudley (Dudley) recorded 113.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Dudley (Dudley)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 3,160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (645).
Is crime in Dudley (Dudley) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dudley (Dudley) was down 4% on the year before: 7,146 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 7,440 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dudley (Dudley)?
Dudley (Dudley) 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 Dudley (Dudley). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.