Crime in Leeds: statistics, rates and trends

82,589 crimes were recorded in Leeds in the 12 months to July 2026, 147.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 31,473 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Leeds has the 69th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Leeds was highest in the year to July 2022 (96,542 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (82,589). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Leeds 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, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in drugs (+18%) and robbery (+16%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-15%) and public order (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Leeds

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Leeds recorded 31,473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 38.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Leeds

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Leeds recorded 7,731 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Leeds

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Leeds recorded 6,976 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Leeds

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Leeds recorded 6,220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Leeds

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Leeds recorded 5,684 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Leeds

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Leeds recorded 5,646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Leeds

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Leeds recorded 4,526 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Leeds

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Leeds recorded 4,445 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Leeds

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Leeds recorded 3,165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Leeds

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Leeds recorded 2,338 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Leeds

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Leeds recorded 1,712 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Leeds

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Leeds recorded 928 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Leeds

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Leeds recorded 892 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Leeds

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Leeds recorded 853 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

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

21 areas within Leeds, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Little London & Woodhouse had the highest rate (348.9 per 1,000) and Moortown the lowest (59.2). 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 Leeds over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Leeds 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.

Leeds has an estimated population of 560,801. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Leeds sits in decile 4.4, more 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 Leeds. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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