Crime in Runcorn: statistics, rates and trends

5,247 crimes were recorded in Runcorn in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,507 reports (48% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Runcorn has the 509th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Runcorn was highest in the year to July 2021 (6,922 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,247). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Runcorn 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 public order, drugs.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+18%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-37%) and bicycle theft (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Runcorn

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Runcorn recorded 2,507 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 47.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Runcorn

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Runcorn recorded 563 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Runcorn

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Runcorn recorded 501 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Runcorn

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Runcorn recorded 380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Runcorn

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Runcorn recorded 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Runcorn

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Runcorn recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Runcorn

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Runcorn recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Runcorn

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Runcorn recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Runcorn

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Runcorn recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Runcorn

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Runcorn recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Runcorn

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Runcorn recorded 66 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 18% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Runcorn

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Runcorn recorded 29 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Runcorn

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Runcorn recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Runcorn

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Runcorn recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Runcorn, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Halton Lea had the highest rate (136.7 per 1,000) and Beechwood & Heath the lowest (26.5). 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 Runcorn over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Runcorn 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.

Runcorn has an estimated population of 59,841. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Runcorn sits in decile 3.6, 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 Runcorn. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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