Crime in Northwich: statistics, rates and trends

1,996 crimes were recorded in Northwich in the 12 months to July 2026, 104.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 859 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Northwich has the 314th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Northwich was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,725 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,980). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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 Northwich 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, public order, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in drugs (+38%) and vehicle crime (+23%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-62%) and criminal damage and arson (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Northwich

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Northwich recorded 859 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 43.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Northwich

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Northwich recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 12.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Northwich

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Northwich recorded 230 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Northwich

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Northwich recorded 217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Northwich

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Northwich recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Northwich

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Northwich recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Northwich

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Northwich recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Northwich

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Northwich recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Northwich

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Northwich recorded 37 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 up 9% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Northwich

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Northwich recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Northwich

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Northwich recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Northwich

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Northwich recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Northwich

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Northwich recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Northwich

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Northwich recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Northwich, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Northwich Witton had the highest rate (100.3 per 1,000) and Northwich Winnington & Castle the lowest (52.6). 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 Northwich over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Northwich 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.

Northwich has an estimated population of 19,172. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Northwich sits in decile 5.2, 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 Northwich. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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