Crime in Rotherham: statistics, rates and trends

11,810 crimes were recorded in Rotherham in the 12 months to July 2026, 154.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,162 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Rotherham has the 52nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rotherham was highest in the year to July 2018 (12,830 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (10,842). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 Rotherham 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 robbery (+62%) and shoplifting (+59%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-26%) and drugs (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rotherham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rotherham recorded 4,162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 35.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rotherham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rotherham recorded 1,728 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rotherham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rotherham recorded 1,312 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rotherham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rotherham recorded 959 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rotherham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rotherham recorded 837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rotherham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rotherham recorded 663 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rotherham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rotherham recorded 537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rotherham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rotherham recorded 511 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rotherham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rotherham recorded 343 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rotherham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rotherham recorded 278 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rotherham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rotherham recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rotherham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rotherham recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rotherham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rotherham recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rotherham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rotherham recorded 46 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 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Rotherham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Boston Castle had the highest rate (287.0 per 1,000) and Sitwell the lowest (56.4). 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 Rotherham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rotherham 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.

Rotherham has an estimated population of 76,221. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rotherham sits in decile 3.0, 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 Rotherham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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