Crime in Kendal: statistics, rates and trends
2,432 crimes were recorded in Kendal in the 12 months to July 2026, 80.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,432 crimes were recorded in Kendal in the 12 months to July 2026, 80.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,150 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Kendal has the 613th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kendal | Westmorland and Furness | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,432 | 16,685 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 80.3 | 72.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 30,284 | 230,185 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kendal was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,831 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (2,078). Over the whole period it rose 0%, 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 | 2,432 | 80.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,358 | 77.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,489 | 82.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,489 | 82.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,540 | 83.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,078 | 68.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,831 | 93.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,528 | 83.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,426 | 80.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 276 |
| June 2026 | 195 |
| May 2026 | 217 |
| April 2026 | 239 |
| March 2026 | 173 |
| February 2026 | 167 |
| January 2026 | 186 |
| December 2025 | 204 |
| November 2025 | 199 |
| October 2025 | 213 |
| September 2025 | 155 |
| August 2025 | 208 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kendal 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 bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+19%) and other theft (+15%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-25%) and anti-social behaviour (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,150 | 38.0 | 1.11 | +9% |
| Public order | 236 | 7.8 | 1.17 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 212 | 7.0 | 1.03 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 193 | 6.4 | 0.77 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 151 | 5.0 | 0.33 | -17% |
| Other theft | 136 | 4.5 | 0.70 | +15% |
| Drugs | 122 | 4.0 | 1.23 | +3% |
| Burglary | 54 | 1.8 | 0.50 | -16% |
| Vehicle crime | 53 | 1.8 | 0.36 | +8% |
| Other crime | 49 | 1.6 | 0.77 | -9% |
| Bicycle theft | 32 | 1.1 | 1.28 | +19% |
| Possession of weapons | 24 | 0.8 | 0.82 | -25% |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.4 | 0.32 | +62% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.2 | 0.14 | -46% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kendal
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kendal recorded 1,150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 47.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kendal
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kendal recorded 236 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 2% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kendal
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kendal recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kendal
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kendal recorded 193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kendal
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kendal recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kendal
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kendal recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kendal
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kendal recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kendal
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kendal recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kendal
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kendal recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kendal
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kendal recorded 49 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 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kendal
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kendal recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kendal
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kendal recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kendal
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kendal recorded 13 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 62% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kendal
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kendal recorded 7 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 down 46% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Kendal, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kendal.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kendal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windermere | 390 | 68.9 | -14% |
| Carnforth | 392 | 71.1 | -11% |
| Bolton-le-Sands | 264 | 36.7 | -54% |
| Ulverston | 767 | 73.2 | -9% |
| Morecambe | 4,629 | 144.5 | +80% |
| Lancaster | 5,628 | 116.7 | +45% |
| Heysham | 1,206 | 81.3 | +1% |
| Dalton-in-Furness | 543 | 74.2 | -8% |
5 areas within Kendal, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kendal Strickland and Fell had the highest rate (132.7 per 1,000) and Kendal Castle the lowest (24.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendal Strickland and Fell | Neighbourhood | 6,714 | 891 | 132.7 |
| Kendal Nether | Neighbourhood | 6,472 | 585 | 90.4 |
| Kendal Highgate | Neighbourhood | 5,950 | 471 | 79.2 |
| Kendal South | Neighbourhood | 7,509 | 440 | 58.6 |
| Kendal Castle | Neighbourhood | 5,812 | 143 | 24.6 |
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 Kendal over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 199 |
| On or near Branthwaite Brow | 92 |
| On or near Aspen Close | 91 |
| On or near Old Shambles | 71 |
| On or near Police Station | 67 |
| On or near Hunters Croft | 64 |
| On or near Kirkland | 64 |
| On or near Stricklandgate | 61 |
| On or near Kent Place | 41 |
| On or near Kent Street | 36 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kendal 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 | 900 | 37.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 430 | 17.7% |
| Under investigation | 372 | 15.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 175 | 7.2% |
| Not recorded | 151 | 6.2% |
| Local resolution | 133 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 109 | 4.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 58 | 2.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 16 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.6% |
Kendal has an estimated population of 30,284. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kendal sits in decile 7.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kendal |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.0% |
| Social rented homes | 13.3% |
| Private rented homes | 16.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.5 |
Is Kendal a safe place to live?
Kendal recorded 80.3 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 Kendal?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (236).
Is crime in Kendal going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kendal was up 3% on the year before: 2,432 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,358 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kendal?
Kendal is policed by Cumbria. 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 Kendal. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.