Crime in Whitby: statistics, rates and trends
1,456 crimes were recorded in Whitby in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
Note: North Yorkshire Police did not publish data for July 2026. Twelve-month figures here are estimated from the months that were published.
1,456 crimes were recorded in Whitby in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 563 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Whitby has the 258th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Whitby | North Yorkshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,456 | 40,894 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 110.4 | 64.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +0% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 13,190 | 635,270 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Whitby was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,795 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,422). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 | 1,456 | 110.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,454 | 110.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,422 | 107.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,485 | 112.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,490 | 113.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,795 | 136.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,616 | 122.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,489 | 112.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,583 | 120.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | 119 |
| May 2026 | 154 |
| April 2026 | 128 |
| March 2026 | 148 |
| February 2026 | 118 |
| January 2026 | 109 |
| December 2025 | 100 |
| November 2025 | 123 |
| October 2025 | 85 |
| September 2025 | 92 |
| August 2025 | 159 |
| July 2025 | 176 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Whitby 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, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+23%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-11%) and anti-social behaviour (-11%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 563 | 42.7 | 1.25 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 360 | 27.3 | 1.78 | -11% |
| Shoplifting | 130 | 9.9 | 1.19 | +23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 117 | 8.9 | 1.31 | +4% |
| Public order | 83 | 6.3 | 0.95 | +6% |
| Other theft | 68 | 5.2 | 0.81 | -1% |
| Drugs | 41 | 3.1 | 0.95 | +116% |
| Burglary | 24 | 1.8 | 0.51 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 1.8 | 0.37 | -11% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 1.1 | 1.17 | +88% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.1 | 0.50 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.6 | 0.74 | +14% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.6 | 0.45 | +167% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.09 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Whitby
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitby recorded 563 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 38.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Whitby
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitby recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 24.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Whitby
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitby recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Whitby
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitby recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Whitby
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitby recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Whitby
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitby recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Whitby
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitby recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 116% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Whitby
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitby recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Whitby
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitby recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Whitby
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitby recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 88% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Whitby
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitby recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Whitby
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitby recorded 8 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 up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Whitby
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitby recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Whitby
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Whitby recorded 2 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 33% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Whitby, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Whitby.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Whitby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loftus | 671 | 128.7 | +17% |
| Brotton | 457 | 86.4 | -22% |
| Skelton (Redcar and Cleveland) | 658 | 101.7 | -8% |
| Saltburn-by-the-Sea | 550 | 95.9 | -13% |
| Scarborough | 9,884 | 166.3 | +51% |
| Marske-by-the-Sea | 574 | 80.5 | -27% |
| Pickering | 551 | 71.4 | -35% |
| Guisborough | 1,995 | 104.7 | -5% |
2 areas within Whitby, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Whitby Streonshalh had the highest rate (144.2 per 1,000) and Whitby West the lowest (92.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitby Streonshalh | Neighbourhood | 4,612 | 665 | 144.2 |
| Whitby West | Neighbourhood | 8,578 | 791 | 92.2 |
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 Whitby over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near | 167 |
| On or near Windsor Crescent | 104 |
| On or near Angel Yard | 55 |
| On or near Parking Area | 41 |
| On or near Whitby Bus Station | 40 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 38 |
| On or near Talbot Court | 34 |
| On or near Esplanade | 30 |
| On or near Supermarket | 29 |
| On or near St Hilda'S Gardens | 24 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitby 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 456 | 34.2% |
| Not recorded | 330 | 24.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 184 | 13.8% |
| Under investigation | 109 | 8.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 85 | 6.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 49 | 3.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 42 | 3.1% |
| Local resolution | 31 | 2.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 17 | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 15 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.4% |
Whitby has an estimated population of 13,190. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitby sits in decile 4.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Whitby |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.7% |
| Social rented homes | 19.9% |
| Private rented homes | 18.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.5 |
Is Whitby a safe place to live?
Whitby recorded 110.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Whitby?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 563 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (360).
Is crime in Whitby going up or down?
Recorded crime in Whitby was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,456 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,454 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Whitby?
Whitby is policed by North Yorkshire. 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 Whitby. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.