Crime in Washington: statistics, rates and trends

4,567 crimes were recorded in Washington in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,366 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Washington has the 513th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Washington was highest in the year to July 2019 (6,357 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (4,567). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 Washington 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 shoplifting, criminal damage and arson, other crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+59%) and shoplifting (+30%). The largest falls were in drugs (-41%) and vehicle crime (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Washington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Washington recorded 1,366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 29.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Washington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Washington recorded 816 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 17.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Washington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Washington recorded 638 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Washington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Washington recorded 472 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Washington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Washington recorded 274 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Washington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Washington recorded 231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Washington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Washington recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Washington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Washington recorded 208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Washington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Washington recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Washington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Washington recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Washington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Washington recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Washington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Washington recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Washington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Washington recorded 16 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 up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Washington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Washington recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Washington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Washington North had the highest rate (129.8 per 1,000) and Washington East the lowest (57.5). 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 Washington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Washington 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.

Washington has an estimated population of 52,466. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Washington sits in decile 4.5, 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 Washington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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