Crime in Rugeley: statistics, rates and trends
2,352 crimes were recorded in Rugeley in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Rugeley at a glance
- Crime trends in Rugeley
- Types of crime in Rugeley
- Rugeley compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Rugeley
- Streets with the most crime in Rugeley
- What happened after crimes were reported in Rugeley
- Population and deprivation in Rugeley
- Questions about crime in Rugeley
- About this data
2,352 crimes were recorded in Rugeley in the 12 months to July 2026, 86.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,077 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Rugeley has the 520th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Rugeley | Cannock Chase | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,352 | 8,921 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 86.7 | 85.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 27,125 | 104,088 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Rugeley was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,359 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,565). Over the whole period it fell 0%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 2,352 | 86.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,285 | 84.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,876 | 69.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,096 | 77.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,791 | 66.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,565 | 57.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,930 | 71.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,956 | 72.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,359 | 87.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 202 |
| June 2026 | 241 |
| May 2026 | 226 |
| April 2026 | 234 |
| March 2026 | 202 |
| February 2026 | 160 |
| January 2026 | 163 |
| December 2025 | 175 |
| November 2025 | 196 |
| October 2025 | 159 |
| September 2025 | 199 |
| August 2025 | 195 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Rugeley 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. The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+47%) and possession of weapons (+30%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-38%) and vehicle crime (-34%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,077 | 39.7 | 1.16 | +17% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 270 | 10.0 | 0.65 | -8% |
| Public order | 200 | 7.4 | 1.11 | +19% |
| Shoplifting | 166 | 6.1 | 0.74 | -38% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 165 | 6.1 | 0.90 | +47% |
| Other theft | 119 | 4.4 | 0.69 | +11% |
| Vehicle crime | 114 | 4.2 | 0.85 | -34% |
| Drugs | 59 | 2.2 | 0.67 | -3% |
| Burglary | 58 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -9% |
| Other crime | 51 | 1.9 | 0.89 | +6% |
| Possession of weapons | 30 | 1.1 | 1.14 | +30% |
| Robbery | 21 | 0.8 | 0.57 | -5% |
| Bicycle theft | 16 | 0.6 | 0.72 | -20% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.2 | 0.13 | +500% |
Violence and sexual offences in Rugeley
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rugeley recorded 1,077 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 45.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Rugeley
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rugeley recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Rugeley
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rugeley recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Rugeley
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rugeley recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Rugeley
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rugeley recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Rugeley
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rugeley recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Rugeley
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rugeley recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Rugeley
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rugeley recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Rugeley
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rugeley recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Rugeley
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rugeley recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Rugeley
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rugeley recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Rugeley
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rugeley recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Rugeley
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rugeley recorded 16 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 down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Rugeley
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rugeley recorded 6 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 up 500% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Rugeley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Rugeley.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Rugeley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handsacre and Armitage | 228 | 43.5 | -50% |
| Cannock | 5,167 | 81.9 | -6% |
| Burntwood | 1,900 | 64.0 | -26% |
| Norton Canes | 697 | 74.1 | -14% |
| Lichfield | 3,131 | 90.8 | +5% |
| Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay | 881 | 54.0 | -38% |
| Penkridge | 787 | 79.7 | -8% |
| Stafford | 7,764 | 101.2 | +17% |
3 areas within Rugeley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Western Springs had the highest rate (140.9 per 1,000) and Etching Hill & the Heath the lowest (66.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Springs | Neighbourhood | 6,309 | 889 | 140.9 |
| Brereton & Ravenhill | Neighbourhood | 9,484 | 746 | 78.7 |
| Etching Hill & the Heath | Neighbourhood | 9,477 | 631 | 66.6 |
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 Rugeley over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 141 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 108 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 84 |
| On or near Birches Valley | 68 |
| On or near Lower Brook Street | 57 |
| On or near Anson Street | 39 |
| On or near Glenhaven | 36 |
| On or near Harrow Close | 33 |
| On or near Power Station Road | 33 |
| On or near St Michael'S Drive | 33 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rugeley 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 887 | 37.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 484 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 327 | 13.9% |
| Not recorded | 270 | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 100 | 4.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 99 | 4.2% |
| Local resolution | 78 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 42 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 41 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.2% |
Rugeley has an estimated population of 27,125. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rugeley sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Rugeley |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.8% |
| Social rented homes | 12.5% |
| Private rented homes | 17.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 4.9% |
Is Rugeley a safe place to live?
Rugeley recorded 86.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Rugeley?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,077 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (270).
Is crime in Rugeley going up or down?
Recorded crime in Rugeley was up 3% on the year before: 2,352 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,285 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Rugeley?
Rugeley is policed by Staffordshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Rugeley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.