Crime Rate in Wakefield: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Wakefield

The total recorded crimes in Wakefield, UK in July 2025 are around 4,148 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Wakefield crime rate of 11.74 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 Wakefield, encompassing approximately 353,370 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1845) incidents (5.07% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (482) incidents (4.33% increase)
  • Public order: (340) incidents (-7.61% decrease)
Wakefield Crime Hotspots

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

  • Havertop Lane with total crimes: 28
  • A639 with total crimes: 25
  • Smawthorne Lane with total crimes: 19

Wakefield Police Info:

West Yorkshire Police

How safe is Wakefield?

To understand the safety of Wakefield, we need to analyze Wakefield 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:

    • Wakefield has recorded 51,475 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 145.67 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 37 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 48,858 crimes with a crime rate of 138.26, ranking it 38 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to West Yorkshire:

    • In 2024, Wakefield demonstrated a lower crime volume than the West Yorkshire average, with 51475 crimes compared to 69783.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Wakefield witnessed more crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Wakefield had fewer crimes than the West Yorkshire average, with 48,858 crimes compared to 67,868. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Wakefield witnessed more crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

    • Compared to other cities in West Yorkshire, Wakefield has a lower crime rate in 2024.

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

Wakefield Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castleford Central and Glasshoughton (359 crimes), and the safest, Crofton, Ryhill and Walton (81 crimes), is 278 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Wakefield.

Similarly, the area of Wakefield Central (294 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Walton, Woolley & Bretton (26 crimes), with a difference of 268 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Wakefield.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castleford Central and Glasshoughton359
Wakefield East354
Wakefield North306
Wakefield West281
Pontefract North269

Safest Wards:

Ossett127
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton120
Wakefield Rural104
Horbury and South Ossett85
Crofton, Ryhill and Walton81

Most Dangerous Areas:

Wakefield Central294
Castleford Town212
Agbrigg & Belle Isle195
Pontefract North West174
Lupset174

Safest Areas:

Netherton & Middlestown34
Altofts34
Crofton33
Outwood East31
Walton, Woolley & Bretton26

Wakefield Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Wakefield has recorded 4,148 crimes with crime rate of 11.74 ranking 58th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in West Yorkshire.

In 2024, the total Wakefield crimes were 51,475. The crime rate of Wakefield in 2024 was 145.67 (year) or 12.14 (month) ranking it 37 danzarous in the UK. Wakefield ranked 4 in terms of total crimes and 3 in terms of crime rate in West Yorkshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Wakefield were around 48,858 crimes with yearly crime rate of 138.26 (year) or 11.52 (month) ranking 38 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in West Yorkshire, Wakefield ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Wakefield

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)
Kirklees4,022 651,584 551,990 5
Calderdale2,413 528,196 426,449 4
Bradford7,137 385,632 283,138 2
Leeds10,919 1132,027 1128,903 1

Wakefield Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1845 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 482 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1756 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (462 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1814 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (464 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1690 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (434 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1758 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (399 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1423 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 290 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1503 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (316 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1546 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 284 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1607 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (370 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1604 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (474 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1671 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Public order (368 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1615 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (492 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3159 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 263.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 308 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025255
June 2025268
May 2025266
April 2025238
March 2025257
February 2025247
January 2025228
December 2024252
November 2024254
October 2024308
September 2024302
August 2024284

A total of 2377 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 198.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 263 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025233
June 2025150
May 2025195
April 2025186
March 2025263
February 2025144
January 2025153
December 2024223
November 2024207
October 2024198
September 2024178
August 2024247

A total of 4024 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 335.33 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 437 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025340
June 2025368
May 2025361
April 2025360
March 2025316
February 2025261
January 2025266
December 2024268
November 2024307
October 2024372
September 2024368
August 2024437

A total of 370 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.83 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202537
June 202545
May 202526
April 202541
March 202526
February 202525
January 202539
December 202426
November 202420
October 202432
September 202424
August 202429

A total of 1430 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 119.17 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025123
June 2025115
May 2025123
April 2025134
March 2025122
February 2025119
January 2025106
December 2024124
November 2024114
October 2024129
September 2024107
August 2024114

A total of 3610 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 300.83 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 406 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025225
June 2025256
May 2025286
April 2025335
March 2025311
February 2025290
January 2025316
December 2024258
November 2024295
October 2024325
September 2024307
August 2024406

A total of 1754 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 146.17 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 190 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025146
June 2025161
May 2025154
April 2025120
March 2025141
February 2025125
January 2025171
December 2024141
November 2024190
October 2024122
September 202499
August 2024184

A total of 216 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202517
May 202527
April 202513
March 202517
February 20257
January 202515
December 202411
November 202420
October 202426
September 202429
August 202419

A total of 342 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202538
June 202526
May 202533
April 202534
March 202524
February 202521
January 202530
December 202421
November 202432
October 202430
September 202429
August 202424

A total of 269 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.42 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202518
May 202519
April 202520
March 202516
February 202521
January 202529
December 202426
November 202422
October 202427
September 202426
August 202428

A total of 19832 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1652.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1845 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251845
June 20251756
May 20251814
April 20251690
March 20251758
February 20251423
January 20251503
December 20241546
November 20241607
October 20241604
September 20241671
August 20241615

A total of 1275 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 106.25 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 123 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025120
June 202590
May 2025106
April 2025100
March 2025101
February 202595
January 2025107
December 2024123
November 2024110
October 2024114
September 2024103
August 2024106

A total of 3058 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 254.83 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 293 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025272
June 2025246
May 2025238
April 2025250
March 2025258
February 2025222
January 2025247
December 2024248
November 2024293
October 2024262
September 2024240
August 2024282

A total of 4769 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 397.42 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 492 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025482
June 2025462
May 2025464
April 2025434
March 2025399
February 2025277
January 2025274
December 2024284
November 2024370
October 2024474
September 2024357
August 2024492

High Crime Locations Wakefield in July 2025

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

1. Havertop Lane (Map)
Total28
Violence and sexual offences9
Drugs9
Public order7
Criminal damage and arson2
Possession of weapons1
2. A639 (Map)
Total25
Other theft23
Criminal damage and arson2
3. Smawthorne Lane (Map)
Total19
Violence and sexual offences19
4. Tuke Grove (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences14
Public order3
Theft from the person1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting7
Anti-social behaviour7
6. Cattlelaith Lane (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting7
Vehicle crime3
Other theft2
Robbery1

  • 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.