Crime in Whitehaven: statistics, rates and trends

2,262 crimes were recorded in Whitehaven in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,159 reports (51% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Whitehaven has the 412th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Whitehaven was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,970 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,262). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Whitehaven 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in other theft (+17%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-39%) and drugs (-27%).

Violence and sexual offences in Whitehaven

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitehaven recorded 1,159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 51.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Whitehaven

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitehaven recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Whitehaven

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitehaven recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Whitehaven

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitehaven recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Whitehaven

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitehaven recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Whitehaven

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitehaven recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Whitehaven

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitehaven recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Whitehaven

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitehaven recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Whitehaven

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitehaven recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Whitehaven

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitehaven recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Whitehaven

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitehaven recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Whitehaven

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitehaven recorded 7 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 up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Whitehaven

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitehaven recorded 7 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Whitehaven

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Whitehaven recorded 4 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 up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Whitehaven, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kells and Sandwith had the highest rate (168.9 per 1,000) and Bransty the lowest (28.0). 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 Whitehaven over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitehaven 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.

Whitehaven has an estimated population of 23,706. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitehaven sits in decile 4.9, 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 Whitehaven. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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