Crime in Windermere: statistics, rates and trends
390 crimes were recorded in Windermere in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Windermere at a glance
- Crime trends in Windermere
- Types of crime in Windermere
- Windermere compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Windermere
- Streets with the most crime in Windermere
- What happened after crimes were reported in Windermere
- Population and deprivation in Windermere
- Questions about crime in Windermere
- About this data
390 crimes were recorded in Windermere in the 12 months to July 2026, 68.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 180 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Windermere has the 810th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Windermere | Westmorland and Furness | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 390 | 16,685 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 68.9 | 72.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 5,664 | 230,185 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Windermere was highest in the year to July 2021 (445 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (321). Over the whole period it rose 15%, 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 | 390 | 68.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 397 | 70.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 321 | 56.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 328 | 57.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 402 | 71.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 445 | 78.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 423 | 74.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 417 | 73.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 339 | 59.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 31 |
| June 2026 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 31 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 34 |
| January 2026 | 40 |
| December 2025 | 19 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 32 |
| September 2025 | 30 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Windermere 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 criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+29%) and criminal damage and arson (+20%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-49%) and public order (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 180 | 31.8 | 0.93 | -4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 55 | 9.7 | 1.43 | +20% |
| Other theft | 32 | 5.6 | 0.88 | +68% |
| Public order | 29 | 5.1 | 0.77 | -22% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 27 | 4.8 | 0.31 | +29% |
| Drugs | 21 | 3.7 | 1.13 | +75% |
| Shoplifting | 20 | 3.5 | 0.43 | -49% |
| Burglary | 7 | 1.2 | 0.35 | -30% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.9 | 1.07 | +400% |
| Other crime | 5 | 0.9 | 0.42 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.7 | 0.73 | -50% |
| Vehicle crime | 3 | 0.5 | 0.11 | -67% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.13 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.10 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Windermere
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Windermere recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 46.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Windermere
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Windermere recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 14.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Windermere
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Windermere recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 68% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Windermere
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Windermere recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Windermere
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Windermere recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Windermere
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Windermere recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Windermere
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Windermere recorded 20 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 49% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Windermere
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Windermere recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Windermere
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Windermere recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Windermere
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Windermere recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Windermere
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Windermere recorded 4 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 down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Windermere
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Windermere recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Windermere
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Windermere recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, 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 Windermere
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Windermere recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Windermere, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Windermere.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Windermere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kendal | 2,432 | 80.3 | +17% |
| Ulverston | 767 | 73.2 | +6% |
| Carnforth | 392 | 71.1 | +3% |
| Millom | 293 | 52.4 | -24% |
| Dalton-in-Furness | 543 | 74.2 | +8% |
| Bolton-le-Sands | 264 | 36.7 | -47% |
| Penrith | 1,626 | 89.8 | +30% |
| Morecambe | 4,629 | 144.5 | +110% |
1 areas within Windermere, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Windermere and Ambleside had the highest rate (74.7 per 1,000) and Windermere and Ambleside the lowest (74.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windermere and Ambleside | Neighbourhood | 9,931 | 742 | 74.7 |
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 Windermere over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 22 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 16 |
| On or near Woodland Close | 16 |
| On or near Queen'S Drive | 15 |
| On or near Cross Street | 14 |
| On or near Supermarket | 14 |
| On or near Upper Oak Street | 12 |
| On or near High Street | 12 |
| On or near Phoenix Way | 11 |
| On or near Ellerthwaite Square | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Windermere 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 | 130 | 33.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 106 | 27.2% |
| Under investigation | 43 | 11.0% |
| Not recorded | 27 | 6.9% |
| Local resolution | 26 | 6.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 22 | 5.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
Windermere has an estimated population of 5,664. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Windermere sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Windermere |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 12.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.0% |
| Social rented homes | 17.4% |
| Private rented homes | 21.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.3 |
Is Windermere a safe place to live?
Windermere recorded 68.9 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 Windermere?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (55).
Is crime in Windermere going up or down?
Recorded crime in Windermere was down 2% on the year before: 390 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 397 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Windermere?
Windermere is policed by Cumbria. 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 Windermere. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.