Crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire): statistics, rates and trends
697 crimes were recorded in Whitchurch (Shropshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire) at a glance
- Crime trends in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- Types of crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- Whitchurch (Shropshire) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- Streets with the most crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- Population and deprivation in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- Questions about crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
- About this data
697 crimes were recorded in Whitchurch (Shropshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 316 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Whitchurch (Shropshire) has the 820th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Whitchurch (Shropshire) | Shropshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 697 | 19,279 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 68.3 | 58.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -15% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 10,209 | 332,455 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire) was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,180 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (697). Over the whole period it fell 41%, 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 | 697 | 68.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 820 | 80.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 837 | 82.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 953 | 93.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 890 | 87.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 942 | 92.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 958 | 93.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,010 | 98.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,180 | 115.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 56 |
| June 2026 | 63 |
| May 2026 | 59 |
| April 2026 | 52 |
| March 2026 | 59 |
| February 2026 | 52 |
| January 2026 | 58 |
| December 2025 | 63 |
| November 2025 | 62 |
| October 2025 | 68 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
| August 2025 | 53 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Whitchurch (Shropshire) 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. The largest falls were in other crime (-44%) and vehicle crime (-38%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 316 | 31.0 | 0.90 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 96 | 9.4 | 0.61 | -34% |
| Shoplifting | 74 | 7.2 | 0.87 | -30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 56 | 5.5 | 0.81 | -26% |
| Other theft | 38 | 3.7 | 0.58 | -31% |
| Public order | 37 | 3.6 | 0.55 | -30% |
| Burglary | 23 | 2.3 | 0.64 | +92% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.5 | 0.45 | +150% |
| Other crime | 15 | 1.5 | 0.70 | -44% |
| Vehicle crime | 13 | 1.3 | 0.26 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.7 | 0.71 | +17% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 0.22 | -50% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.24 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.12 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 45.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Whitchurch (Shropshire) 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Whitchurch (Shropshire), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Whitchurch (Shropshire).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Whitchurch (Shropshire) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wem | 440 | 69.6 | +2% |
| Market Drayton | 901 | 70.3 | +3% |
| Nantwich | 1,679 | 80.5 | +18% |
| Ellesmere | 307 | 60.3 | -12% |
| Shavington | 288 | 43.8 | -36% |
| Crewe | 8,102 | 106.1 | +55% |
| Wrexham | 7,133 | 156.5 | +129% |
| Rhosllannerchrugog | 946 | 83.0 | +22% |
3 areas within Whitchurch (Shropshire), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Whitchurch North had the highest rate (79.6 per 1,000) and Whitchurch South the lowest (51.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitchurch North | Neighbourhood | 5,286 | 421 | 79.6 |
| Whitchurch West | Neighbourhood | 3,655 | 225 | 61.6 |
| Whitchurch South | Neighbourhood | 2,982 | 154 | 51.6 |
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 Whitchurch (Shropshire) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 56 |
| On or near Supermarket | 54 |
| On or near Waterfront View | 38 |
| On or near B5398 | 36 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 36 |
| On or near Yardington | 17 |
| On or near Church Street | 16 |
| On or near High Street | 14 |
| On or near Mainwaring Drive | 13 |
| On or near Brownlow Street | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitchurch (Shropshire) 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 | 281 | 40.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 127 | 18.2% |
| Not recorded | 96 | 13.8% |
| Under investigation | 90 | 12.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 32 | 4.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 3.4% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 2.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Whitchurch (Shropshire) has an estimated population of 10,209. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitchurch (Shropshire) sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Whitchurch (Shropshire) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.6% |
| Social rented homes | 14.5% |
| Private rented homes | 19.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
Is Whitchurch (Shropshire) a safe place to live?
Whitchurch (Shropshire) recorded 68.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Whitchurch (Shropshire)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (96).
Is crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Whitchurch (Shropshire) was down 15% on the year before: 697 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 820 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Whitchurch (Shropshire)?
Whitchurch (Shropshire) is policed by West Mercia. 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 Whitchurch (Shropshire). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.