Crime in York: statistics, rates and trends

16,169 crimes were recorded in York in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.1 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 5,188 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, York has the 272nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in York was highest in the year to July 2019 (17,751 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (16,058). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 York 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in robbery (+69%) and public order (+14%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-38%) and vehicle crime (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in York

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. York recorded 5,188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 32.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in York

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. York recorded 4,144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 25.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in York

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. York recorded 1,839 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in York

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. York recorded 1,117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in York

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. York recorded 903 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in York

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. York recorded 748 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in York

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. York recorded 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in York

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. York recorded 410 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in York

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. York recorded 391 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in York

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. York recorded 374 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in York

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. York recorded 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in York

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. York recorded 193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in York

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. York recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in York

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. York recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within York, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Guildhall had the highest rate (314.0 per 1,000) and Heworth Without the lowest (18.9). 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 York over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in York 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.

York has an estimated population of 148,268. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in York sits in decile 7.2, less 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 York. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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