Crime in Gainsborough: statistics, rates and trends
4,083 crimes were recorded in Gainsborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 178.6 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 Gainsborough at a glance
- Crime trends in Gainsborough
- Types of crime in Gainsborough
- Gainsborough compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Gainsborough
- Streets with the most crime in Gainsborough
- What happened after crimes were reported in Gainsborough
- Population and deprivation in Gainsborough
- Questions about crime in Gainsborough
- About this data
4,083 crimes were recorded in Gainsborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 178.6 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 1,473 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Gainsborough has the 24th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Gainsborough | West Lindsey | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,083 | 8,235 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 178.6 | 83.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 22,857 | 99,208 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Gainsborough was highest in the year to July 2022 (4,407 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (3,634). Over the whole period it rose 6%, 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 | 4,083 | 178.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,262 | 186.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,057 | 177.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,227 | 184.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,407 | 192.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,924 | 171.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,634 | 159.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,082 | 178.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,839 | 168.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 387 |
| June 2026 | 369 |
| May 2026 | 361 |
| April 2026 | 357 |
| March 2026 | 343 |
| February 2026 | 304 |
| January 2026 | 274 |
| December 2025 | 281 |
| November 2025 | 348 |
| October 2025 | 339 |
| September 2025 | 329 |
| August 2025 | 391 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Gainsborough 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in robbery (+53%) and possession of weapons (+20%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-40%) and burglary (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,473 | 64.4 | 1.88 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 914 | 40.0 | 2.61 | -1% |
| Shoplifting | 462 | 20.2 | 2.44 | +9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 399 | 17.5 | 2.57 | -17% |
| Public order | 184 | 8.1 | 1.21 | -29% |
| Other theft | 157 | 6.9 | 1.07 | -15% |
| Burglary | 125 | 5.5 | 1.55 | -36% |
| Other crime | 114 | 5.0 | 2.36 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 91 | 4.0 | 0.81 | -6% |
| Drugs | 63 | 2.8 | 0.84 | -25% |
| Robbery | 46 | 2.0 | 1.49 | +53% |
| Possession of weapons | 36 | 1.6 | 1.62 | +20% |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 0.8 | 0.96 | -40% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.0 | 0.03 | -89% |
Violence and sexual offences in Gainsborough
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Gainsborough recorded 1,473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (64.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 36.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Gainsborough
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Gainsborough recorded 914 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Gainsborough
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Gainsborough recorded 462 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Gainsborough
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Gainsborough recorded 399 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Gainsborough
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Gainsborough recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Gainsborough
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Gainsborough recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Gainsborough
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Gainsborough recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Gainsborough
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Gainsborough recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Gainsborough
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Gainsborough recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Gainsborough
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Gainsborough recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Gainsborough
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Gainsborough recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Gainsborough
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Gainsborough recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Gainsborough
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Gainsborough recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Gainsborough
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Gainsborough recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 89% on the year before. It made up 0.0% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Gainsborough, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Gainsborough.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Gainsborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retford | 2,068 | 81.9 | -54% |
| Finningley | 290 | 52.4 | -71% |
| Harworth and Bircotes | 727 | 95.7 | -46% |
| Scunthorpe | 11,620 | 142.7 | -20% |
| New Rossington and Rossington | 1,110 | 75.8 | -58% |
| Tickhill | 261 | 49.8 | -72% |
| Carlton in Lindrick | 459 | 72.0 | -60% |
| Armthorpe | 1,442 | 97.4 | -45% |
3 areas within Gainsborough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Gainsborough South-West had the highest rate (371.3 per 1,000) and Gainsborough North the lowest (108.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainsborough South-West | Neighbourhood | 5,763 | 2,140 | 371.3 |
| Gainsborough East | Neighbourhood | 7,562 | 977 | 129.2 |
| Gainsborough North | Neighbourhood | 8,148 | 881 | 108.1 |
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 Gainsborough over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 441 |
| On or near Market Place | 168 |
| On or near Supermarket | 150 |
| On or near Harpswell Close | 72 |
| On or near Brook Lane | 71 |
| On or near John Jenkinson Close | 64 |
| On or near Meldrum Drive | 59 |
| On or near A159 | 57 |
| On or near Gordon Street | 57 |
| On or near Stanley Street | 57 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Gainsborough 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 | 1,468 | 36.0% |
| Not recorded | 914 | 22.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 853 | 20.9% |
| Under investigation | 326 | 8.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 154 | 3.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 130 | 3.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 73 | 1.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 61 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 53 | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 21 | 0.5% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.3% |
Gainsborough has an estimated population of 22,857. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Gainsborough sits in decile 2.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Gainsborough |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.1% |
| Social rented homes | 21.2% |
| Private rented homes | 26.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 47.7% |
Is Gainsborough a safe place to live?
Gainsborough recorded 178.6 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 Gainsborough?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (914).
Is crime in Gainsborough going up or down?
Recorded crime in Gainsborough was down 4% on the year before: 4,083 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,262 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Gainsborough?
Gainsborough is policed by Lincolnshire. 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 Gainsborough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.