Crime in Lincoln: statistics, rates and trends

16,440 crimes were recorded in Lincoln in the 12 months to July 2026, 156.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,376 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lincoln has the 48th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Lincoln was highest in the year to July 2020 (18,357 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (15,358). Over the whole period it rose 7%, 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 Lincoln 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 robbery (+60%) and vehicle crime (+43%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-27%) and other crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Lincoln

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lincoln recorded 5,376 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (51.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 32.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Lincoln

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lincoln recorded 3,790 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Lincoln

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lincoln recorded 2,326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 14.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Lincoln

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lincoln recorded 1,173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Lincoln

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lincoln recorded 1,093 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Lincoln

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lincoln recorded 702 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Lincoln

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lincoln recorded 407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Lincoln

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lincoln recorded 364 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Lincoln

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lincoln recorded 289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Lincoln

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lincoln recorded 283 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Lincoln

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lincoln recorded 256 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Lincoln

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lincoln recorded 216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Lincoln

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lincoln recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Lincoln

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lincoln recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

11 areas within Lincoln, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Abbey had the highest rate (320.8 per 1,000) and Witham the lowest (63.4). 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 Lincoln over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln has an estimated population of 105,114. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lincoln sits in decile 4.1, 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 Lincoln. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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