Crime in Retford: statistics, rates and trends

2,068 crimes were recorded in Retford in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 821 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Retford has the 585th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Retford was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,691 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,068). 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 Retford 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in other crime (+32%) and violence and sexual offences (+13%). The largest falls were in burglary (-56%) and vehicle crime (-39%).

Violence and sexual offences in Retford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Retford recorded 821 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 39.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Retford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Retford recorded 309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 14.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Retford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Retford recorded 231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Retford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Retford recorded 170 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 6% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Retford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Retford recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Retford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Retford recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Retford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Retford recorded 99 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 up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Retford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Retford recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Retford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Retford recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Retford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Retford recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Retford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Retford recorded 22 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 21% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Retford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Retford recorded 16 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 up 60% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Retford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Retford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Retford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Retford recorded 13 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 up 225% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Retford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. East Retford West had the highest rate (108.3 per 1,000) and East Retford South the lowest (67.1). 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 Retford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Retford 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.

Retford has an estimated population of 25,261. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Retford sits in decile 5.4, 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 Retford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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