Crime in Harrogate: statistics, rates and trends

5,380 crimes were recorded in Harrogate in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,948 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Harrogate has the 804th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Harrogate was highest in the year to July 2018 (7,788 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,380). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 Harrogate 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. The largest falls were in drugs (-31%) and vehicle crime (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in Harrogate

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harrogate recorded 1,948 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 36.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Harrogate

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harrogate recorded 1,083 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Harrogate

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harrogate recorded 628 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Harrogate

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harrogate recorded 363 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Harrogate

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harrogate recorded 341 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Harrogate

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harrogate recorded 283 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Harrogate

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harrogate recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Harrogate

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harrogate recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Harrogate

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harrogate recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Harrogate

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harrogate recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Harrogate

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harrogate recorded 38 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 19% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Harrogate

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harrogate recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Harrogate

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harrogate recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Harrogate

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harrogate recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

10 areas within Harrogate, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Valley Gardens & Central Harrogate had the highest rate (168.1 per 1,000) and Oatlands & Pannal the lowest (29.5). 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 Harrogate over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harrogate 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.

Harrogate has an estimated population of 77,535. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harrogate sits in decile 7.8, less 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 Harrogate. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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