Crime in Wolverhampton: statistics, rates and trends

23,869 crimes were recorded in Wolverhampton in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 10,706 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wolverhampton has the 409th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Wolverhampton was highest in the year to July 2022 (32,997 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (23,423). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 Wolverhampton 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, shoplifting, vehicle crime.

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-57%) and burglary (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in Wolverhampton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wolverhampton recorded 10,706 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 44.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Wolverhampton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wolverhampton recorded 2,766 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Wolverhampton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wolverhampton recorded 1,943 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Wolverhampton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wolverhampton recorded 1,683 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Wolverhampton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wolverhampton recorded 1,506 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Wolverhampton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wolverhampton recorded 1,310 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Wolverhampton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wolverhampton recorded 971 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Wolverhampton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wolverhampton recorded 754 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Wolverhampton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wolverhampton recorded 629 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Wolverhampton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wolverhampton recorded 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Wolverhampton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wolverhampton recorded 447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Wolverhampton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wolverhampton recorded 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Wolverhampton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wolverhampton recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Wolverhampton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wolverhampton recorded 184 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 up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

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

18 areas within Wolverhampton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Peters had the highest rate (230.6 per 1,000) and Penn the lowest (44.9). 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 Wolverhampton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wolverhampton 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.

Wolverhampton has an estimated population of 249,958. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wolverhampton sits in decile 3.7, more deprived than average. 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 Wolverhampton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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