Crime in Peterborough: statistics, rates and trends

26,294 crimes were recorded in Peterborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,874 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Peterborough has the 119th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Peterborough was highest in the year to July 2023 (27,222 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (24,586). Over the whole period it fell 2%, 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 Peterborough 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in drugs (+90%) and possession of weapons (+20%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-23%) and theft from the person (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Peterborough

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Peterborough recorded 9,874 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 37.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Peterborough

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Peterborough recorded 4,349 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 16.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Peterborough

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Peterborough recorded 2,173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Peterborough

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Peterborough recorded 1,963 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Peterborough

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Peterborough recorded 1,601 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Peterborough

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Peterborough recorded 1,263 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 down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Peterborough

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Peterborough recorded 1,175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 90% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Peterborough

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Peterborough recorded 1,084 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Peterborough

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Peterborough recorded 825 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Peterborough

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Peterborough recorded 787 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Peterborough

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Peterborough recorded 463 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Peterborough

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Peterborough recorded 303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Peterborough

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Peterborough recorded 242 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Peterborough

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Peterborough recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

18 areas within Peterborough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (357.2 per 1,000) and Gunthorpe the lowest (67.4). 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 Peterborough over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Peterborough 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.

Peterborough has an estimated population of 199,485. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Peterborough sits in decile 3.9, more 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 Peterborough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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