Crime in Wellingborough: statistics, rates and trends

6,518 crimes were recorded in Wellingborough in the 12 months to July 2026, 115.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,234 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wellingborough has the 208th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Wellingborough was highest in the year to July 2020 (8,254 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,518). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 Wellingborough 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 anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, drugs.

The largest increases were in robbery (+33%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-57%) and bicycle theft (-28%).

Violence and sexual offences in Wellingborough

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wellingborough recorded 2,234 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Wellingborough

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wellingborough recorded 1,456 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 22.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Wellingborough

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wellingborough recorded 483 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Wellingborough

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wellingborough recorded 409 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Wellingborough

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wellingborough recorded 393 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Wellingborough

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wellingborough recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Wellingborough

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wellingborough recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Wellingborough

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wellingborough recorded 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Wellingborough

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wellingborough recorded 187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Wellingborough

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wellingborough recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Wellingborough

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wellingborough recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Wellingborough

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wellingborough recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Wellingborough

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wellingborough recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Wellingborough

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wellingborough recorded 19 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 12% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Wellingborough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Croyland & Swanspool had the highest rate (154.5 per 1,000) and Hatton Park the lowest (71.0). 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 Wellingborough over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wellingborough 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.

Wellingborough has an estimated population of 56,328. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wellingborough sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. 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 Wellingborough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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