Crime in Walsall: statistics, rates and trends
10,400 crimes were recorded in Walsall in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Walsall at a glance
- Crime trends in Walsall
- Types of crime in Walsall
- Walsall compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Walsall
- Streets with the most crime in Walsall
- What happened after crimes were reported in Walsall
- Population and deprivation in Walsall
- Questions about crime in Walsall
- About this data
10,400 crimes were recorded in Walsall in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,980 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Walsall has the 92nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Walsall | Walsall | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 10,400 | 30,398 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 138.3 | 102.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 75,172 | 295,678 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Walsall was highest in the year to July 2022 (11,793 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (8,908). Over the whole period it rose 12%, 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 | 10,400 | 138.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 10,202 | 135.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 10,993 | 146.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 11,137 | 148.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 11,793 | 156.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 10,681 | 142.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 8,908 | 118.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,333 | 124.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 9,270 | 123.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,012 |
| June 2026 | 874 |
| May 2026 | 950 |
| April 2026 | 825 |
| March 2026 | 902 |
| February 2026 | 810 |
| January 2026 | 824 |
| December 2025 | 764 |
| November 2025 | 889 |
| October 2025 | 892 |
| September 2025 | 858 |
| August 2025 | 800 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Walsall 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, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+37%) and vehicle crime (+37%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-62%) and bicycle theft (-45%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,980 | 52.9 | 1.55 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 1,520 | 20.2 | 2.44 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 826 | 11.0 | 2.23 | +37% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 720 | 9.6 | 1.41 | +7% |
| Public order | 661 | 8.8 | 1.32 | +17% |
| Other theft | 612 | 8.1 | 1.27 | -2% |
| Drugs | 519 | 6.9 | 2.11 | +37% |
| Burglary | 455 | 6.1 | 1.71 | +31% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 342 | 4.5 | 0.30 | -62% |
| Possession of weapons | 244 | 3.2 | 3.34 | +5% |
| Robbery | 206 | 2.7 | 2.03 | +20% |
| Other crime | 173 | 2.3 | 1.09 | -11% |
| Theft from the person | 109 | 1.5 | 0.86 | +6% |
| Bicycle theft | 33 | 0.4 | 0.53 | -45% |
Violence and sexual offences in Walsall
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Walsall recorded 3,980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 38.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Walsall
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Walsall recorded 1,520 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Walsall
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Walsall recorded 826 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Walsall
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Walsall recorded 720 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Walsall
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Walsall recorded 661 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Walsall
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Walsall recorded 612 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Walsall
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Walsall recorded 519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Walsall
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Walsall recorded 455 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Walsall
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Walsall recorded 342 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Walsall
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Walsall recorded 244 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Walsall
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Walsall recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Walsall
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Walsall recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Walsall
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Walsall recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Walsall
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Walsall recorded 33 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 down 45% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Walsall, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Walsall.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Walsall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesbury | 2,548 | 122.9 | -11% |
| Darlaston | 2,176 | 104.9 | -24% |
| Bloxwich | 6,100 | 111.9 | -19% |
| Rushall and Shelfield | 806 | 72.3 | -48% |
| Willenhall | 5,373 | 103.3 | -25% |
| West Bromwich | 11,570 | 107.6 | -22% |
| Aldridge | 953 | 60.8 | -56% |
| Pheasey | 390 | 39.0 | -72% |
4 areas within Walsall, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Matthew's had the highest rate (162.3 per 1,000) and Paddock the lowest (46.2). 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 Matthew's | Neighbourhood | 16,615 | 2,696 | 162.3 |
| Pleck | Neighbourhood | 18,061 | 2,412 | 133.5 |
| Palfrey | Neighbourhood | 17,837 | 1,466 | 82.2 |
| Paddock | Neighbourhood | 13,589 | 628 | 46.2 |
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 Walsall over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 963 |
| On or near Parking Area | 565 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 322 |
| On or near Hospital | 277 |
| On or near George Street | 234 |
| On or near Park Street | 205 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 200 |
| On or near Digbeth | 186 |
| On or near Littleton Street West | 145 |
| On or near Nightclub | 140 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Walsall 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,758 | 36.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 3,747 | 36.0% |
| Under investigation | 822 | 7.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 632 | 6.1% |
| Local resolution | 523 | 5.0% |
| Not recorded | 342 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 290 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 181 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 61 | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 38 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.0% |
Walsall has an estimated population of 75,172. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Walsall sits in decile 3.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Walsall |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.7% |
| Social rented homes | 22.9% |
| Private rented homes | 24.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 49.6% |
Is Walsall a safe place to live?
Walsall recorded 138.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Walsall?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 3,980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (1,520).
Is crime in Walsall going up or down?
Recorded crime in Walsall was up 2% on the year before: 10,400 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 10,202 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Walsall?
Walsall is policed by West Midlands. 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 Walsall. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.