Crime in Halifax: statistics, rates and trends

13,947 crimes were recorded in Halifax in the 12 months to July 2026, 152.5 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 5,923 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Halifax has the 60th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Halifax was highest in the year to July 2023 (16,490 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (13,947). Over the whole period it fell 9%, 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 Halifax 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 robbery (+50%) and shoplifting (+16%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-26%) and theft from the person (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Halifax

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Halifax recorded 5,923 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (64.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 42.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Halifax

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Halifax recorded 1,411 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Halifax

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Halifax recorded 1,274 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Halifax

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Halifax recorded 1,031 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Halifax

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Halifax recorded 987 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Halifax

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Halifax recorded 812 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Halifax

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Halifax recorded 627 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Halifax

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Halifax recorded 500 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 10% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Halifax

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Halifax recorded 498 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Halifax

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Halifax recorded 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Halifax

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Halifax recorded 170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Halifax

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Halifax recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Halifax

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Halifax recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Halifax

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Halifax recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

7 areas within Halifax, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town had the highest rate (304.2 per 1,000) and Sowerby Bridge the lowest (94.3). 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 Halifax over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Halifax 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.

Halifax has an estimated population of 91,475. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Halifax sits in decile 3.1, 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 Halifax. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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