Crime in High Wycombe: statistics, rates and trends

8,541 crimes were recorded in High Wycombe in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 3,093 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, High Wycombe has the 424th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in High Wycombe was highest in the year to July 2023 (9,710 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (7,318). Over the whole period it rose 16%, 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 High Wycombe 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 shoplifting, drugs.

The largest increases were in other crime (+26%) and drugs (+22%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-41%) and bicycle theft (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in High Wycombe

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. High Wycombe recorded 3,093 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 36.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in High Wycombe

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. High Wycombe recorded 1,003 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in High Wycombe

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. High Wycombe recorded 970 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in High Wycombe

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. High Wycombe recorded 680 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 17% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in High Wycombe

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. High Wycombe recorded 677 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in High Wycombe

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. High Wycombe recorded 562 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in High Wycombe

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. High Wycombe recorded 502 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 8% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in High Wycombe

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. High Wycombe recorded 440 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in High Wycombe

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. High Wycombe recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in High Wycombe

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. High Wycombe recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in High Wycombe

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. High Wycombe recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in High Wycombe

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. High Wycombe recorded 59 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 41% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in High Wycombe

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. High Wycombe recorded 49 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 down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in High Wycombe

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. High Wycombe recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within High Wycombe, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Abbey had the highest rate (175.2 per 1,000) and Terriers & Amersham Hill the lowest (46.5). 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 High Wycombe over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in High Wycombe 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.

High Wycombe has an estimated population of 90,542. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in High Wycombe sits in decile 5.7, close to the middle. 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 High Wycombe. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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