Crime in Scunthorpe: statistics, rates and trends

11,620 crimes were recorded in Scunthorpe in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher 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 4,379 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Scunthorpe has the 82nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Scunthorpe was highest in the year to July 2019 (13,098 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (10,948). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 Scunthorpe 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+70%) and drugs (+41%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Scunthorpe

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Scunthorpe recorded 4,379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 37.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Scunthorpe

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Scunthorpe recorded 1,483 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 12.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Scunthorpe

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Scunthorpe recorded 1,026 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Scunthorpe

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Scunthorpe recorded 975 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Scunthorpe

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Scunthorpe recorded 973 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Scunthorpe

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Scunthorpe recorded 674 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Scunthorpe

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Scunthorpe recorded 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Scunthorpe

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Scunthorpe recorded 421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Scunthorpe

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Scunthorpe recorded 372 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Scunthorpe

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Scunthorpe recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Scunthorpe

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Scunthorpe recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Scunthorpe

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Scunthorpe recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Scunthorpe

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Scunthorpe recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Scunthorpe

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Scunthorpe recorded 28 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 down 18% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Scunthorpe, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town had the highest rate (288.2 per 1,000) and Bottesford the lowest (46.1). 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 Scunthorpe over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Scunthorpe 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.

Scunthorpe has an estimated population of 81,434. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Scunthorpe sits in decile 4.2, 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 Scunthorpe. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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