Crime Rate in Boston: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Boston

The total recorded crimes in Boston, UK in May 2025 are around 599 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Boston crime rate of 8.50 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Boston, encompassing approximately 70,505 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (185) incidents (-11.06% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (133) incidents (0.76% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (72) incidents (7.46% increase)
Boston Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 23
  • Petticoat Lane with total crimes: 19
  • Hospital with total crimes: 17

Boston Police Info:

Lincolnshire Police

How safe is Boston?

To understand the safety of Boston, we need to analyze Boston crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Boston has recorded 8,490 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 120.42 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 75 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 5,908 crimes with a crime rate of 83.80, ranking it 186 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Lincolnshire:

    • In 2024, Boston demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Lincolnshire average, with 8490 crimes compared to 11245.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Boston witnessed more crimes than 4 out of 6 other cities.

    • In 2023, Boston had fewer crimes than the Lincolnshire average, with 5,908 crimes compared to 8,737. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Boston witnessed more crimes than 4 out of 6 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Boston is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Lincolnshire, Boston has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Boston Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Trinity (108 crimes), and the safest, West (6 crimes), is 102 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Boston.

Similarly, the area of Boston Central & North (215 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Swineshead, Bicker & Holland Fen (17 crimes), with a difference of 198 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Boston.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Trinity108
Witham78
Station70
Skirbeck62
Wyberton55

Safest Wards:

St Thomas'17
Five Village12
Swineshead and Holland Fen9
Coastal9
West6

Most Dangerous Areas:

Boston Central & North215
Fenside & Lister Way93
Fishtoft & Wyberton East68
Kirton, Frampton & Algarkirk65
Skirbeck59

Safest Areas:

Kirton, Frampton & Algarkirk65
Skirbeck59
Wyberton West & Fen55
Leake & Butterwick27
Swineshead, Bicker & Holland Fen17

Boston Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Boston has recorded 599 crimes with crime rate of 8.50 ranking 137th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 6 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Lincolnshire.

In 2024, the total Boston crimes were 8,490. The crime rate of Boston in 2024 was 120.42 (year) or 10.03 (month) ranking it 75 danzarous in the UK. Boston ranked 5 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Lincolnshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Boston were around 5,908 crimes with yearly crime rate of 83.80 (year) or 6.98 (month) ranking 186 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Lincolnshire, Boston ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Boston

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lincolnshire)CrimesRank (Lincolnshire)CrimesRank (Lincolnshire)
North Kesteven509 87,119 75,499 7
South Holland663 77,758 65,898 6
South Kesteven835 612,010 59,134 5
West Lindsey696 59,006 47,348 4
East Lindsey1,163 315,380 313,062 2
Lincoln1,366 118,953 114,313 1

Boston Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (185 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (133 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (208 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (132 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (174 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (171 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 194 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 133 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (228 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (111 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 237 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 120 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (273 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (111 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (254 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (119 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (303 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (127 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (234 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (199 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 250 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 152 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (504 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (280 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 658 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202547
April 202560
March 202543
February 202536
January 202551
December 202442
November 202463
October 202443
September 202453
August 202454
July 202452
June 2024114

A total of 463 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 84 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202538
March 202533
February 202533
January 202528
December 202432
November 202442
October 202435
September 202444
August 202429
July 202438
June 202484

A total of 51 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20254
March 20252
February 20255
January 20252
December 20242
November 20244
October 20243
September 20246
August 20243
July 20243
June 202414

A total of 1778 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 148.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 280 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025133
April 2025132
March 2025171
February 2025133
January 2025111
December 2024120
November 2024101
October 2024119
September 2024127
August 2024199
July 2024152
June 2024280

A total of 265 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 20259
March 20255
February 202520
January 202515
December 202421
November 202432
October 202425
September 202420
August 202426
July 202419
June 202446

A total of 3044 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 253.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 504 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025185
April 2025208
March 2025174
February 2025194
January 2025228
December 2024237
November 2024273
October 2024254
September 2024303
August 2024234
July 2024250
June 2024504

A total of 224 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202517
March 202512
February 202514
January 202513
December 202418
November 202419
October 202418
September 202420
August 202415
July 202422
June 202440

A total of 433 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 36.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202544
March 202536
February 202529
January 202522
December 202419
November 202426
October 202439
September 202423
August 202441
July 202435
June 202478

A total of 143 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 20259
March 20257
February 20256
January 20258
December 20248
November 202414
October 202412
September 202421
August 20249
July 20248
June 202430

A total of 912 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 76.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 128 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202572
April 202567
March 202597
February 202557
January 202578
December 202454
November 2024111
October 202444
September 202472
August 202480
July 202452
June 2024128

A total of 46 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.18 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20253
March 20253
February 20253
January 20258
December 20246
November 20242
October 20247
August 20241
July 20245
June 20244

A total of 231 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202510
March 202523
February 202512
January 202522
December 202424
November 202412
October 202431
September 202416
August 202411
July 202424
June 202432

A total of 225 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202524
March 202517
February 202524
January 202525
December 202412
November 202423
October 202416
September 202413
August 202413
July 202415
June 202426

A total of 58 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20256
March 20255
February 20251
January 20253
December 20243
November 20244
October 202411
September 20245
August 20244
July 20248
June 20246

High Crime Locations Boston in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Boston postcode area is presented below.

1. Petrol Station (Map)
Total23
Shoplifting16
Public order7
2. Petticoat Lane (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting14
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime1
Public order1
3. Hospital (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences5
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour3
Robbery1
Public order1
Possession of weapons1
Other theft1
Drugs1
Bicycle theft1
4. Church Lane (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour5
Public order1
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total12
Anti-social behaviour6
Shoplifting2
Public order2
Other theft1
Burglary1
6. Heron Way (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order1

To know about postcode areas in Boston, visit Boston information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.