Crime in Ruthin: statistics, rates and trends
516 crimes were recorded in Ruthin in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
516 crimes were recorded in Ruthin in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 242 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ruthin has the 510th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ruthin | Denbighshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 516 | 11,075 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 87.6 | 112.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 5,892 | 98,202 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ruthin was highest in the year to July 2026 (516 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (329). Over the whole period it rose 43%, 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 | 516 | 87.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 494 | 83.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 430 | 73.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 411 | 69.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 417 | 70.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 412 | 69.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 329 | 55.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 383 | 65.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 361 | 61.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 52 |
| June 2026 | 53 |
| May 2026 | 46 |
| April 2026 | 46 |
| March 2026 | 40 |
| February 2026 | 34 |
| January 2026 | 25 |
| December 2025 | 43 |
| November 2025 | 48 |
| October 2025 | 30 |
| September 2025 | 54 |
| August 2025 | 45 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ruthin 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 (+33%) and anti-social behaviour (+31%). The largest falls were in other theft (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 242 | 41.1 | 1.20 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 109 | 18.5 | 1.21 | +31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 40 | 6.8 | 1.00 | +33% |
| Public order | 31 | 5.3 | 0.79 | +3% |
| Other theft | 29 | 4.9 | 0.77 | -15% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.9 | 0.82 | +21% |
| Shoplifting | 17 | 2.9 | 0.35 | +0% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.9 | 0.57 | +83% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 1.2 | 1.22 | +250% |
| Vehicle crime | 7 | 1.2 | 0.24 | -42% |
| Other crime | 5 | 0.8 | 0.40 | -69% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.21 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ruthin
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ruthin recorded 242 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 46.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ruthin
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ruthin recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 21.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ruthin
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ruthin recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ruthin
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ruthin recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ruthin
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ruthin recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ruthin
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ruthin recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ruthin
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ruthin recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ruthin
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ruthin recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ruthin
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ruthin recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 250% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ruthin
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ruthin recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ruthin
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ruthin recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ruthin
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ruthin recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ruthin, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ruthin.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ruthin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denbigh | 679 | 82.3 | -6% |
| Mold | 1,233 | 119.9 | +37% |
| Mynydd Isa | 247 | 44.2 | -50% |
| Buckley | 928 | 66.2 | -24% |
| Penyffordd | 175 | 34.6 | -60% |
| Flint | 1,539 | 109.1 | +25% |
| Brynteg (Wrexham) | 688 | 72.9 | -17% |
| Holywell (Flintshire) | 981 | 112.9 | +29% |
1 areas within Ruthin, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ruthin had the highest rate (87.6 per 1,000) and Ruthin the lowest (87.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruthin | Neighbourhood | 5,892 | 516 | 87.6 |
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 Ruthin over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near St Peter'S Square | 40 |
| On or near A494 | 29 |
| On or near Canol-Y-Dre | 29 |
| On or near Mill Street | 27 |
| On or near Llys Famau | 23 |
| On or near Stryd Yr Eos | 23 |
| On or near Upper Clwyd Street | 22 |
| On or near Parking Area | 20 |
| On or near Stryd Yr Hebog | 18 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ruthin 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 | 183 | 35.5% |
| Not recorded | 109 | 21.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 69 | 13.4% |
| Under investigation | 65 | 12.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 26 | 5.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 20 | 3.9% |
| Local resolution | 17 | 3.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 1.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Ruthin has an estimated population of 5,892. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ruthin sits in decile 8.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ruthin |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.9% |
| Social rented homes | 15.5% |
| Private rented homes | 18.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.2 |
Is Ruthin a safe place to live?
Ruthin recorded 87.6 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 Ruthin?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 242 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (109).
Is crime in Ruthin going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ruthin was up 4% on the year before: 516 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 494 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ruthin?
Ruthin is policed by North Wales. 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 Ruthin. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.