Crime in Widnes: statistics, rates and trends
5,501 crimes were recorded in Widnes in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
5,501 crimes were recorded in Widnes in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,479 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Widnes has the 484th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Widnes | Halton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,501 | 11,964 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 89.7 | 91.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 61,294 | 131,543 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Widnes was highest in the year to July 2020 (8,227 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,501). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 | 5,501 | 89.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,673 | 92.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,378 | 104.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,628 | 108.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,595 | 107.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 7,356 | 120.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 8,227 | 134.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 8,163 | 133.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 7,957 | 129.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 536 |
| June 2026 | 518 |
| May 2026 | 490 |
| April 2026 | 501 |
| March 2026 | 454 |
| February 2026 | 425 |
| January 2026 | 417 |
| December 2025 | 409 |
| November 2025 | 396 |
| October 2025 | 452 |
| September 2025 | 451 |
| August 2025 | 452 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Widnes 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 public order, drugs, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+36%) and possession of weapons (+34%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-37%) and burglary (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,479 | 40.4 | 1.18 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 629 | 10.3 | 0.67 | +7% |
| Public order | 608 | 9.9 | 1.49 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 370 | 6.0 | 0.89 | -5% |
| Other theft | 286 | 4.7 | 0.73 | -5% |
| Drugs | 267 | 4.4 | 1.33 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 250 | 4.1 | 0.49 | -37% |
| Vehicle crime | 160 | 2.6 | 0.53 | +36% |
| Other crime | 153 | 2.5 | 1.18 | +1% |
| Burglary | 129 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 75 | 1.2 | 1.26 | +34% |
| Bicycle theft | 45 | 0.7 | 0.89 | +0% |
| Robbery | 41 | 0.7 | 0.50 | -28% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.1 | 0.09 | -53% |
Violence and sexual offences in Widnes
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Widnes recorded 2,479 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 45.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Widnes
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Widnes recorded 629 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Widnes
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Widnes recorded 608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Widnes
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Widnes recorded 370 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Widnes
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Widnes recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Widnes
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Widnes recorded 267 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Widnes
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Widnes recorded 250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Widnes
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Widnes recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Widnes
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Widnes recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Widnes
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Widnes recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Widnes
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Widnes recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Widnes
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Widnes recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Widnes
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Widnes recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Widnes
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Widnes recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Widnes, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Widnes.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Widnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runcorn | 5,247 | 87.7 | -2% |
| Prescot | 4,129 | 100.9 | +12% |
| St Helens (St. Helens) | 12,189 | 119.1 | +33% |
| Huyton with Roby | 5,065 | 82.4 | -8% |
| Frodsham | 515 | 55.9 | -38% |
| Warrington | 13,902 | 82.1 | -8% |
| Newton-le-Willows | 2,145 | 81.2 | -9% |
| Haydock | 1,096 | 75.4 | -16% |
9 areas within Widnes, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Appleton had the highest rate (179.9 per 1,000) and Farnworth the lowest (39.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | Neighbourhood | 7,658 | 1,378 | 179.9 |
| Central & West Bank | Neighbourhood | 7,776 | 1,290 | 165.9 |
| Ditton, Hale Village & Halebank | Neighbourhood | 8,822 | 779 | 88.3 |
| Highfield | Neighbourhood | 4,588 | 386 | 84.1 |
| Hough Green | Neighbourhood | 6,541 | 545 | 83.3 |
| Bankfield | Neighbourhood | 6,496 | 401 | 61.7 |
| Halton View | Neighbourhood | 6,848 | 412 | 60.2 |
| Birchfield | Neighbourhood | 10,077 | 416 | 41.3 |
| Farnworth | Neighbourhood | 6,522 | 257 | 39.4 |
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 Widnes over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 210 |
| On or near Supermarket | 152 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 148 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 108 |
| On or near Albert Road | 106 |
| On or near Farrant Street | 104 |
| On or near Saxon Terrace | 61 |
| On or near Fairfield Road | 57 |
| On or near Carter House Way | 46 |
| On or near Nightclub | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Widnes 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 | 1,872 | 34.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,245 | 22.6% |
| Not recorded | 629 | 11.4% |
| Under investigation | 552 | 10.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 411 | 7.5% |
| Local resolution | 338 | 6.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 185 | 3.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 104 | 1.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 82 | 1.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 29 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 25 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 0.3% |
Widnes has an estimated population of 61,294. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Widnes sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Widnes |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.2% |
| Social rented homes | 21.1% |
| Private rented homes | 14.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 21.4% |
Is Widnes a safe place to live?
Widnes recorded 89.7 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 Widnes?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,479 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (629).
Is crime in Widnes going up or down?
Recorded crime in Widnes was down 3% on the year before: 5,501 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,673 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Widnes?
Widnes is policed by Cheshire. 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 Widnes. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.