Crime in Workington: statistics, rates and trends

3,050 crimes were recorded in Workington in the 12 months to July 2026, 134.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 1,362 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Workington has the 107th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Workington was highest in the year to July 2022 (4,082 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,968). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 Workington 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, criminal damage and arson, public order.

The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+41%) and other crime (+10%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-40%) and burglary (-32%).

Violence and sexual offences in Workington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Workington recorded 1,362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (59.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 44.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Workington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Workington recorded 323 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Workington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Workington recorded 317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Workington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Workington recorded 302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Workington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Workington recorded 179 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Workington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Workington recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Workington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Workington recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Workington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Workington recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Workington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Workington recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Workington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Workington recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Workington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Workington recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Workington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Workington recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Workington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Workington recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Workington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Workington recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Workington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Michael's had the highest rate (165.1 per 1,000) and Harrington the lowest (70.1). 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 Workington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Workington 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.

Workington has an estimated population of 22,733. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Workington sits in decile 3.0, 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 Workington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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