Crime in St Austell: statistics, rates and trends
2,595 crimes were recorded in St Austell in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.6 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 St Austell at a glance
- Crime trends in St Austell
- Types of crime in St Austell
- St Austell compared with nearby towns
- Areas within St Austell
- Streets with the most crime in St Austell
- What happened after crimes were reported in St Austell
- Population and deprivation in St Austell
- Questions about crime in St Austell
- About this data
2,595 crimes were recorded in St Austell in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.6 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 1,131 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, St Austell has the 290th highest crime rate.
| Measure | St Austell | Cornwall | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,595 | 41,624 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 106.6 | 71.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 24,336 | 583,289 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in St Austell was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,731 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (2,042). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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 | 2,595 | 106.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,530 | 104.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,432 | 99.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,042 | 83.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,360 | 97.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,522 | 103.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,589 | 106.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,731 | 112.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 284 |
| June 2026 | 213 |
| May 2026 | 214 |
| April 2026 | 217 |
| March 2026 | 214 |
| February 2026 | 179 |
| January 2026 | 171 |
| December 2025 | 182 |
| November 2025 | 249 |
| October 2025 | 257 |
| September 2025 | 175 |
| August 2025 | 240 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in St Austell 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, criminal damage and arson, other crime.
The largest increases were in burglary (+62%) and other crime (+62%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-23%) and shoplifting (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,131 | 46.5 | 1.36 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 403 | 16.6 | 1.08 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 271 | 11.1 | 1.64 | +25% |
| Public order | 165 | 6.8 | 1.02 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 165 | 6.8 | 0.82 | -17% |
| Other theft | 142 | 5.8 | 0.91 | -13% |
| Other crime | 68 | 2.8 | 1.32 | +62% |
| Drugs | 62 | 2.5 | 0.78 | -9% |
| Burglary | 60 | 2.5 | 0.70 | +62% |
| Vehicle crime | 43 | 1.8 | 0.36 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 41 | 1.7 | 1.73 | +28% |
| Robbery | 24 | 1.0 | 0.73 | +140% |
| Theft from the person | 15 | 0.6 | 0.36 | -6% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.2 | 0.25 | +25% |
Violence and sexual offences in St Austell
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. St Austell recorded 1,131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 43.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in St Austell
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. St Austell recorded 403 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 15.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in St Austell
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. St Austell recorded 271 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in St Austell
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. St Austell recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in St Austell
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. St Austell recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in St Austell
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. St Austell recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in St Austell
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. St Austell recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in St Austell
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. St Austell recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in St Austell
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. St Austell recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in St Austell
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. St Austell recorded 43 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 down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in St Austell
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. St Austell recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in St Austell
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. St Austell recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 140% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in St Austell
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. St Austell recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in St Austell
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. St Austell recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to St Austell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to St Austell.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs St Austell |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Blazey | 494 | 70.5 | -34% |
| Indian Queens, Fraddon and St Columb Road | 371 | 62.1 | -42% |
| Bodmin | 2,090 | 118.9 | +12% |
| Wadebridge | 412 | 79.4 | -26% |
| Truro | 2,904 | 126.1 | +18% |
| Newquay | 2,702 | 110.0 | +3% |
| Looe | 455 | 80.5 | -25% |
| Liskeard | 1,321 | 112.9 | +6% |
4 areas within St Austell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Austell Central & Gover had the highest rate (148.2 per 1,000) and Penwithick & Boscoppa the lowest (68.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Austell Central & Gover | Neighbourhood | 8,528 | 1,264 | 148.2 |
| St Austell Poltair & Mount Charles | Neighbourhood | 4,709 | 671 | 142.5 |
| St Austell Bethel & Holmbush | Neighbourhood | 6,346 | 447 | 70.4 |
| Penwithick & Boscoppa | Neighbourhood | 8,739 | 600 | 68.7 |
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 St Austell over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 237 |
| On or near Supermarket | 91 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 88 |
| On or near Cross Lane | 77 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 73 |
| On or near Truro Road | 53 |
| On or near Grant'S Walk | 53 |
| On or near B3273 | 47 |
| On or near Church Street | 44 |
| On or near Bridge Road | 36 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in St Austell 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 | 1,019 | 39.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 493 | 19.0% |
| Not recorded | 403 | 15.5% |
| Under investigation | 304 | 11.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 114 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 86 | 3.3% |
| Local resolution | 48 | 1.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 39 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 20 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.3% |
St Austell has an estimated population of 24,336. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in St Austell sits in decile 4.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | St Austell |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.0% |
| Social rented homes | 14.8% |
| Private rented homes | 21.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.7% |
Is St Austell a safe place to live?
St Austell recorded 106.6 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 St Austell?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (403).
Is crime in St Austell going up or down?
Recorded crime in St Austell was up 3% on the year before: 2,595 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,530 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers St Austell?
St Austell is policed by Devon & Cornwall. 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 St Austell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.