Crime in Stafford: statistics, rates and trends

7,764 crimes were recorded in Stafford in the 12 months to July 2026, 101.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,189 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Stafford has the 339th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Stafford was highest in the year to July 2026 (7,764 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (5,992). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 Stafford 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, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+134%) and other crime (+43%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-50%) and shoplifting (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Stafford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Stafford recorded 3,189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Stafford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Stafford recorded 1,257 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 16.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Stafford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Stafford recorded 655 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Stafford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Stafford recorded 555 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Stafford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Stafford recorded 481 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Stafford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Stafford recorded 452 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Stafford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Stafford recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Stafford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Stafford recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Stafford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Stafford recorded 195 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Stafford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Stafford recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Stafford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Stafford recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 134% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Stafford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Stafford recorded 85 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 23% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Stafford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Stafford recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Stafford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Stafford recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

14 areas within Stafford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Forebridge had the highest rate (502.3 per 1,000) and Baswich the lowest (27.6). 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 Stafford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Stafford 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.

Stafford has an estimated population of 76,710. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Stafford sits in decile 6.6, less 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 Stafford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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