Crime in Pontefract: statistics, rates and trends

4,120 crimes were recorded in Pontefract in the 12 months to July 2026, 120.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,780 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Pontefract has the 178th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Pontefract was highest in the year to July 2022 (5,178 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (3,823). 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 Pontefract 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, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+34%) and shoplifting (+17%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-30%) and possession of weapons (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Pontefract

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pontefract recorded 1,780 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 43.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Pontefract

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pontefract recorded 553 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Pontefract

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pontefract recorded 409 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Pontefract

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pontefract recorded 309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Pontefract

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pontefract recorded 295 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Pontefract

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pontefract recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Pontefract

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pontefract recorded 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Pontefract

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pontefract recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Pontefract

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pontefract recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Pontefract

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pontefract recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Pontefract

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pontefract recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Pontefract

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pontefract recorded 30 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 23% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Pontefract

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pontefract recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Pontefract

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Pontefract recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Pontefract, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Pontefract North had the highest rate (142.7 per 1,000) and Pontefract South the lowest (87.1). 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 Pontefract over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pontefract 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.

Pontefract has an estimated population of 34,171. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pontefract sits in decile 4.9, 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 Pontefract. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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