Crime in Market Drayton: statistics, rates and trends
901 crimes were recorded in Market Drayton in the 12 months to July 2026, 70.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Market Drayton at a glance
- Crime trends in Market Drayton
- Types of crime in Market Drayton
- Market Drayton compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Market Drayton
- Streets with the most crime in Market Drayton
- What happened after crimes were reported in Market Drayton
- Population and deprivation in Market Drayton
- Questions about crime in Market Drayton
- About this data
901 crimes were recorded in Market Drayton in the 12 months to July 2026, 70.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 393 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Market Drayton has the 784th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Market Drayton | Shropshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 901 | 19,279 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 70.3 | 58.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 12,817 | 332,455 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Market Drayton was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,373 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (901). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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 | 901 | 70.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 954 | 74.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 948 | 74.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,041 | 81.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,149 | 89.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,373 | 107.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,373 | 107.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,198 | 93.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,276 | 99.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 83 |
| June 2026 | 58 |
| May 2026 | 73 |
| April 2026 | 58 |
| March 2026 | 60 |
| February 2026 | 64 |
| January 2026 | 76 |
| December 2025 | 87 |
| November 2025 | 75 |
| October 2025 | 92 |
| September 2025 | 77 |
| August 2025 | 98 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Market Drayton 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. The largest increases were in drugs (+90%) and other theft (+35%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-74%) and anti-social behaviour (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 393 | 30.7 | 0.90 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 113 | 8.8 | 0.57 | -30% |
| Shoplifting | 83 | 6.5 | 0.78 | +26% |
| Other theft | 81 | 6.3 | 0.99 | +35% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 77 | 6.0 | 0.89 | -17% |
| Public order | 51 | 4.0 | 0.60 | -4% |
| Drugs | 38 | 3.0 | 0.91 | +90% |
| Burglary | 23 | 1.8 | 0.51 | -18% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.1 | 0.52 | -30% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.8 | 0.80 | +67% |
| Vehicle crime | 8 | 0.6 | 0.13 | -74% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.5 | 0.40 | +600% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.09 | -60% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | -83% |
Violence and sexual offences in Market Drayton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Market Drayton recorded 393 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 43.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Market Drayton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Market Drayton recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Market Drayton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Market Drayton recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Market Drayton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Market Drayton recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Market Drayton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Market Drayton recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Market Drayton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Market Drayton recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Market Drayton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Market Drayton recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 90% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Market Drayton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Market Drayton recorded 23 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 18% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Market Drayton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Market Drayton recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Market Drayton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Market Drayton recorded 10 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 up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Market Drayton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Market Drayton recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 74% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Market Drayton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Market Drayton recorded 7 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 600% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Market Drayton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Market Drayton recorded 2 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 60% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Market Drayton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Market Drayton recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 83% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Market Drayton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Market Drayton.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Market Drayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitchurch (Shropshire) | 697 | 68.3 | -3% |
| Wem | 440 | 69.6 | -1% |
| Newport (Telford and Wrekin) | 706 | 51.7 | -26% |
| Nantwich | 1,679 | 80.5 | +14% |
| Shavington | 288 | 43.8 | -38% |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 8,214 | 103.5 | +47% |
| Crewe | 8,102 | 106.1 | +51% |
| Stone (Stafford) | 1,263 | 69.4 | -1% |
3 areas within Market Drayton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Market Drayton East & Rural had the highest rate (96.8 per 1,000) and Market Drayton North the lowest (40.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Drayton East & Rural | Neighbourhood | 5,691 | 551 | 96.8 |
| Market Drayton South | Neighbourhood | 4,282 | 237 | 55.3 |
| Market Drayton North | Neighbourhood | 4,779 | 191 | 40.0 |
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 Market Drayton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 59 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 46 |
| On or near Fairfields Road | 42 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 42 |
| On or near Supermarket | 42 |
| On or near Shropshire Street | 29 |
| On or near Unicorn Court | 28 |
| On or near St Mary'S Street | 24 |
| On or near Cheshire Street | 23 |
| On or near Sycamore Way | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Market Drayton 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 | 426 | 47.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 149 | 16.5% |
| Not recorded | 113 | 12.5% |
| Under investigation | 77 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 49 | 5.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 41 | 4.6% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Market Drayton has an estimated population of 12,817. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Market Drayton sits in decile 5.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Market Drayton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.6% |
| Social rented homes | 16.6% |
| Private rented homes | 17.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.7 |
Is Market Drayton a safe place to live?
Market Drayton recorded 70.3 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 Market Drayton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 393 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (113).
Is crime in Market Drayton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Market Drayton was down 6% on the year before: 901 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 954 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Market Drayton?
Market Drayton is policed by West Mercia. 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 Market Drayton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.