Crime in Holywell (Flintshire): statistics, rates and trends
981 crimes were recorded in Holywell (Flintshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Holywell (Flintshire) at a glance
- Crime trends in Holywell (Flintshire)
- Types of crime in Holywell (Flintshire)
- Holywell (Flintshire) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Holywell (Flintshire)
- Streets with the most crime in Holywell (Flintshire)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Holywell (Flintshire)
- Population and deprivation in Holywell (Flintshire)
- Questions about crime in Holywell (Flintshire)
- About this data
981 crimes were recorded in Holywell (Flintshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 392 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Holywell (Flintshire) has the 237th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Holywell (Flintshire) | Flintshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 981 | 12,032 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 112.9 | 77.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -13% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 8,689 | 155,867 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Holywell (Flintshire) was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,619 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (981). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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 | 981 | 112.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,126 | 129.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,211 | 139.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,424 | 163.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,619 | 186.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,385 | 159.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,400 | 161.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,263 | 145.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,356 | 156.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 104 |
| June 2026 | 71 |
| May 2026 | 78 |
| April 2026 | 81 |
| March 2026 | 84 |
| February 2026 | 70 |
| January 2026 | 79 |
| December 2025 | 43 |
| November 2025 | 80 |
| October 2025 | 94 |
| September 2025 | 90 |
| August 2025 | 107 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Holywell (Flintshire) 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 shoplifting (+34%) and other theft (+21%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-46%) and other crime (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 392 | 45.1 | 1.32 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 196 | 22.6 | 1.47 | -28% |
| Shoplifting | 102 | 11.7 | 1.42 | +34% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 79 | 9.1 | 1.34 | -46% |
| Public order | 68 | 7.8 | 1.18 | +3% |
| Other theft | 63 | 7.3 | 1.13 | +21% |
| Burglary | 22 | 2.5 | 0.72 | -33% |
| Drugs | 17 | 2.0 | 0.60 | +21% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.6 | 0.76 | -33% |
| Vehicle crime | 14 | 1.6 | 0.33 | -26% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.7 | 0.84 | -40% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.6 | 0.59 | -29% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.17 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Holywell (Flintshire)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 40.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Holywell (Flintshire)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 196 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Holywell (Flintshire)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Holywell (Flintshire)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Holywell (Flintshire)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Holywell (Flintshire)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Holywell (Flintshire)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 22 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 33% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Holywell (Flintshire)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 17 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 up 21% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Holywell (Flintshire)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Holywell (Flintshire)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Holywell (Flintshire)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Holywell (Flintshire)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Holywell (Flintshire)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Holywell (Flintshire)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Holywell (Flintshire), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Holywell (Flintshire).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Holywell (Flintshire) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagillt | 475 | 87.1 | -23% |
| Flint | 1,539 | 109.1 | -3% |
| Heswall | 994 | 33.9 | -70% |
| West Kirby | 627 | 46.3 | -59% |
| Neston (Cheshire West and Chester) | 744 | 51.0 | -55% |
| Connah's Quay | 1,490 | 89.4 | -21% |
| Greasby | 258 | 27.3 | -76% |
| Hoylake | 347 | 57.0 | -49% |
4 areas within Holywell (Flintshire), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Holywell Central had the highest rate (258.7 per 1,000) and Whitford the lowest (34.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holywell Central | Neighbourhood | 2,080 | 538 | 258.7 |
| Holywell West | Neighbourhood | 2,419 | 239 | 98.8 |
| Holywell East | Neighbourhood | 1,961 | 128 | 65.3 |
| Whitford | Neighbourhood | 2,229 | 76 | 34.1 |
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 Holywell (Flintshire) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Ffordd St Gregoire | 78 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 69 |
| On or near B5121 | 56 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 40 |
| On or near Cross Street | 38 |
| On or near Parking Area | 36 |
| On or near Heol Fawr | 30 |
| On or near Moorfields | 30 |
| On or near Abbots Walk | 24 |
| On or near Park Lane | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Holywell (Flintshire) 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 | 305 | 31.1% |
| Not recorded | 196 | 20.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 167 | 17.0% |
| Under investigation | 105 | 10.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 53 | 5.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 52 | 5.3% |
| Local resolution | 39 | 4.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 27 | 2.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 26 | 2.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Holywell (Flintshire) has an estimated population of 8,689. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Holywell (Flintshire) sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Holywell (Flintshire) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.1% |
| Social rented homes | 18.6% |
| Private rented homes | 14.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 23.9% |
Is Holywell (Flintshire) a safe place to live?
Holywell (Flintshire) recorded 112.9 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 Holywell (Flintshire)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (196).
Is crime in Holywell (Flintshire) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Holywell (Flintshire) was down 13% on the year before: 981 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,126 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Holywell (Flintshire)?
Holywell (Flintshire) is policed by North Wales. 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 Holywell (Flintshire). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.