Crime in Wakefield: statistics, rates and trends

14,410 crimes were recorded in Wakefield in the 12 months to July 2026, 148.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,169 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wakefield has the 68th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Wakefield was highest in the year to July 2023 (16,913 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (14,141). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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 Wakefield 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, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+14%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-24%) and bicycle theft (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Wakefield

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wakefield recorded 6,169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (63.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 42.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Wakefield

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wakefield recorded 1,322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Wakefield

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wakefield recorded 1,252 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Wakefield

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wakefield recorded 1,186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Wakefield

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wakefield recorded 960 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Wakefield

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wakefield recorded 858 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Wakefield

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wakefield recorded 609 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Wakefield

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wakefield recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Wakefield

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wakefield recorded 521 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Wakefield

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wakefield recorded 451 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 down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Wakefield

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wakefield recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Wakefield

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wakefield recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Wakefield

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wakefield recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Wakefield

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wakefield recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Wakefield, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wakefield East had the highest rate (227.8 per 1,000) and Stanley and Outwood East the lowest (76.9). 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 Wakefield over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wakefield 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.

Wakefield has an estimated population of 97,113. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wakefield sits in decile 4.4, 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 Wakefield. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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