Crime in Northampton: statistics, rates and trends

30,006 crimes were recorded in Northampton in the 12 months to July 2026, 120.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,777 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Northampton has the 179th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Northampton was highest in the year to July 2018 (31,623 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (29,031). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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 Northampton 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+42%) and anti-social behaviour (+23%). The largest falls were in drugs (-30%) and possession of weapons (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Northampton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Northampton recorded 9,777 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 32.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Northampton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Northampton recorded 6,734 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Northampton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Northampton recorded 2,830 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Northampton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Northampton recorded 1,712 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Northampton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Northampton recorded 1,710 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Northampton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Northampton recorded 1,706 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Northampton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Northampton recorded 1,696 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Northampton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Northampton recorded 1,119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Northampton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Northampton recorded 866 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 down 30% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Northampton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Northampton recorded 625 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Northampton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Northampton recorded 462 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Northampton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Northampton recorded 406 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 down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Northampton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Northampton recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Northampton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Northampton recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Northampton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (328.7 per 1,000) and Hunsbury the lowest (65.2). 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 Northampton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Northampton 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.

Northampton has an estimated population of 248,936. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Northampton sits in decile 5.5, 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 Northampton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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