Crime in Horncastle: statistics, rates and trends
489 crimes were recorded in Horncastle in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Horncastle at a glance
- Crime trends in Horncastle
- Types of crime in Horncastle
- Horncastle compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Horncastle
- Streets with the most crime in Horncastle
- What happened after crimes were reported in Horncastle
- Population and deprivation in Horncastle
- Questions about crime in Horncastle
- About this data
489 crimes were recorded in Horncastle in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 189 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Horncastle has the 560th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Horncastle | East Lindsey | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 489 | 14,146 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.3 | 97.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 5,873 | 145,183 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Horncastle was highest in the year to July 2020 (677 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (428). Over the whole period it rose 14%, 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 | 489 | 83.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 492 | 83.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 444 | 75.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 464 | 79.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 434 | 73.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 583 | 99.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 677 | 115.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 452 | 77.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 428 | 72.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 47 |
| June 2026 | 38 |
| May 2026 | 40 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 42 |
| February 2026 | 47 |
| January 2026 | 29 |
| December 2025 | 60 |
| November 2025 | 45 |
| October 2025 | 32 |
| September 2025 | 38 |
| August 2025 | 36 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Horncastle 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 other crime, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+95%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-37%) and public order (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 189 | 32.2 | 0.94 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 81 | 13.8 | 0.90 | -37% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 49 | 8.3 | 1.23 | -2% |
| Shoplifting | 41 | 7.0 | 0.84 | +95% |
| Other theft | 27 | 4.6 | 0.72 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 3.4 | 0.69 | +186% |
| Other crime | 18 | 3.1 | 1.45 | +20% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.9 | 0.82 | -6% |
| Public order | 17 | 2.9 | 0.44 | -19% |
| Drugs | 15 | 2.6 | 0.78 | +25% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 1.4 | 1.40 | +60% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.7 | 0.50 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.41 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.10 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Horncastle
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Horncastle recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 38.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Horncastle
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Horncastle recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 16.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Horncastle
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Horncastle recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Horncastle
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Horncastle recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 95% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Horncastle
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Horncastle recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Horncastle
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Horncastle recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 186% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Horncastle
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Horncastle recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Horncastle
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Horncastle recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Horncastle
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Horncastle recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Horncastle
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Horncastle recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Horncastle
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Horncastle recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Horncastle
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Horncastle recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Horncastle
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Horncastle recorded 2 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Horncastle
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Horncastle recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Horncastle, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Horncastle.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Horncastle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coningsby and Tattershall | 602 | 77.5 | -7% |
| Louth | 1,987 | 109.5 | +31% |
| Washingborough and Heighington | 255 | 34.6 | -58% |
| Ruskington | 286 | 49.9 | -40% |
| Boston | 6,139 | 138.9 | +67% |
| Bracebridge Heath | 266 | 45.7 | -45% |
| Waddington (North Kesteven) | 303 | 39.6 | -52% |
| Lincoln | 16,440 | 156.4 | +88% |
1 areas within Horncastle, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Horncastle had the highest rate (68.5 per 1,000) and Horncastle the lowest (68.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horncastle | Neighbourhood | 7,962 | 545 | 68.5 |
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 Horncastle over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near The Crescent | 41 |
| On or near Supermarket | 35 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Ann Wayne Avenue | 19 |
| On or near Market Place | 19 |
| On or near Church Lane | 16 |
| On or near Churchill Avenue | 16 |
| On or near Mareham Road | 13 |
| On or near Waring Street | 11 |
| On or near Ashwood Close | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Horncastle 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 | 192 | 39.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 116 | 23.7% |
| Not recorded | 81 | 16.6% |
| Under investigation | 37 | 7.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 12 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.6% |
Horncastle has an estimated population of 5,873. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Horncastle sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Horncastle |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.0% |
| Social rented homes | 16.5% |
| Private rented homes | 21.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
Is Horncastle a safe place to live?
Horncastle recorded 83.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Horncastle?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (81).
Is crime in Horncastle going up or down?
Recorded crime in Horncastle was almost unchanged on the year before: 489 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 492 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Horncastle?
Horncastle 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 Horncastle. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.