Crime in Penrith: statistics, rates and trends

1,626 crimes were recorded in Penrith in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 797 reports (49% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Penrith has the 482nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Penrith was highest in the year to July 2024 (1,841 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,373). Over the whole period it rose 18%, 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 Penrith 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, drugs.

The largest increases were in burglary (+45%) and possession of weapons (+26%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-59%) and drugs (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in Penrith

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Penrith recorded 797 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 49.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Penrith

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Penrith recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Penrith

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Penrith recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Penrith

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Penrith recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Penrith

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Penrith recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Penrith

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Penrith recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Penrith

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Penrith recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 59% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Penrith

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Penrith recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Penrith

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Penrith recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Penrith

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Penrith recorded 29 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 up 26% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Penrith

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Penrith recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Penrith

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Penrith recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Penrith

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Penrith recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Penrith

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Penrith recorded 4 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 20% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Penrith, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Penrith South had the highest rate (117.9 per 1,000) and Penrith North the lowest (52.1). 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 Penrith over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Penrith 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.

Penrith has an estimated population of 18,110. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Penrith sits in decile 6.7, less 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 Penrith. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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