Crime in Sandbach: statistics, rates and trends
893 crimes were recorded in Sandbach in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Sandbach at a glance
- Crime trends in Sandbach
- Types of crime in Sandbach
- Sandbach compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Sandbach
- Streets with the most crime in Sandbach
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sandbach
- Population and deprivation in Sandbach
- Questions about crime in Sandbach
- About this data
893 crimes were recorded in Sandbach in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 392 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Sandbach has the 828th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sandbach | Cheshire East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 893 | 28,232 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 67.7 | 67.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 13,197 | 421,298 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sandbach was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,015 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (111). Over the whole period it rose 3%, 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 | 893 | 67.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 839 | 63.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 943 | 71.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 111 | 8.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 313 | 23.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 907 | 68.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,015 | 76.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 993 | 75.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 869 | 65.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 82 |
| June 2026 | 68 |
| May 2026 | 68 |
| April 2026 | 94 |
| March 2026 | 75 |
| February 2026 | 75 |
| January 2026 | 76 |
| December 2025 | 86 |
| November 2025 | 68 |
| October 2025 | 72 |
| September 2025 | 55 |
| August 2025 | 74 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sandbach 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 other theft (+87%) and shoplifting (+38%).
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-28%) and other crime (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 392 | 29.7 | 0.87 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 101 | 7.7 | 0.50 | +33% |
| Public order | 100 | 7.6 | 1.14 | -1% |
| Shoplifting | 83 | 6.3 | 0.76 | +38% |
| Other theft | 56 | 4.2 | 0.66 | +87% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 2.7 | 0.40 | -28% |
| Drugs | 32 | 2.4 | 0.74 | -20% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.9 | 0.90 | -24% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 1.8 | 0.37 | +50% |
| Burglary | 20 | 1.5 | 0.43 | +54% |
| Possession of weapons | 12 | 0.9 | 0.94 | +71% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.4 | 0.46 | +25% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.3 | 0.18 | +33% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.17 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Sandbach
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sandbach recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 43.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Sandbach
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sandbach recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sandbach
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sandbach recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Sandbach
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sandbach recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sandbach
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sandbach recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 87% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sandbach
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sandbach recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sandbach
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sandbach recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sandbach
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sandbach recorded 25 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sandbach
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sandbach recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sandbach
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sandbach recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Sandbach
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sandbach recorded 12 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 up 71% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Sandbach
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sandbach recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Sandbach
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sandbach recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Sandbach
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sandbach recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Sandbach, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sandbach.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sandbach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elworth | 317 | 39.6 | -41% |
| Holmes Chapel | 199 | 28.7 | -58% |
| Alsager | 949 | 58.7 | -13% |
| Middlewich | 1,117 | 76.4 | +13% |
| Crewe | 8,102 | 106.1 | +57% |
| Congleton | 2,329 | 70.1 | +4% |
| Kidsgrove | 1,377 | 88.4 | +31% |
| Shavington | 288 | 43.8 | -35% |
2 areas within Sandbach, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Sandbach Heath and East had the highest rate (79.2 per 1,000) and Sandbach Town the lowest (44.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandbach Heath and East | Neighbourhood | 5,995 | 475 | 79.2 |
| Sandbach Town | Neighbourhood | 5,370 | 239 | 44.5 |
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 Sandbach over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 92 |
| On or near Supermarket | 63 |
| On or near Flat Lane | 38 |
| On or near Hope Street | 38 |
| On or near Scholars Place | 32 |
| On or near George'S Walk | 28 |
| On or near Wesley Avenue | 25 |
| On or near Middlewich Road | 25 |
| On or near Larch Drive | 20 |
| On or near Fairfield Avenue | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sandbach 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 | 307 | 34.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 206 | 23.1% |
| Not recorded | 101 | 11.3% |
| Under investigation | 85 | 9.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 81 | 9.1% |
| Local resolution | 39 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 24 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 23 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 2.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Sandbach has an estimated population of 13,197. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sandbach sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sandbach |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.7% |
| Social rented homes | 13.6% |
| Private rented homes | 11.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is Sandbach a safe place to live?
Sandbach recorded 67.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than 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 Sandbach?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (101).
Is crime in Sandbach going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sandbach was up 6% on the year before: 893 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 839 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sandbach?
Sandbach is policed by Cheshire. 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 Sandbach. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.