Crime in Macclesfield: statistics, rates and trends

4,744 crimes were recorded in Macclesfield in the 12 months to July 2026, 85.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,120 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Macclesfield has the 530th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Macclesfield was highest in the year to July 2021 (6,129 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (4,365). Over the whole period it fell 21%, 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 Macclesfield 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 public order.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+41%) and robbery (+32%). The largest falls were in other crime (-17%) and other theft (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Macclesfield

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Macclesfield recorded 2,120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 44.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Macclesfield

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Macclesfield recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Macclesfield

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Macclesfield recorded 497 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Macclesfield

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Macclesfield recorded 396 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Macclesfield

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Macclesfield recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Macclesfield

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Macclesfield recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Macclesfield

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Macclesfield recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Macclesfield

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Macclesfield recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Macclesfield

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Macclesfield recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Macclesfield

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Macclesfield recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Macclesfield

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Macclesfield recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Macclesfield

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Macclesfield recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 164% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Macclesfield

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Macclesfield recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Macclesfield

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Macclesfield recorded 11 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

7 areas within Macclesfield, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Macclesfield Central had the highest rate (184.2 per 1,000) and Macclesfield Tytherington the lowest (28.5). 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 Macclesfield over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Macclesfield 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.

Macclesfield has an estimated population of 55,199. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Macclesfield sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. 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 Macclesfield. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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