Crime Rate in Wakefield: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Wakefield

The total recorded crimes in Wakefield, UK in May 2025 are around 4,112 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Wakefield crime rate of 11.64 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1814) incidents (7.34% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (464) incidents (6.91% increase)
  • Public order: (361) incidents (0.28% increase)
Wakefield Crime Hotspots

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

  • Havertop Lane with total crimes: 49
  • Bullenshaw Road with total crimes: 25
  • Arundel Close with total crimes: 22

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, Wakefield East (391 crimes), and the safest, Crofton, Ryhill and Walton (76 crimes), is 315 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Wakefield.

Similarly, the area of Wakefield Central (325 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Outwood East (24 crimes), with a difference of 301 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Wakefield.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Wakefield East391
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton331
Wakefield North303
Pontefract North276
Featherstone256

Safest Wards:

Ossett128
Wakefield Rural127
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton126
Horbury and South Ossett124
Crofton, Ryhill and Walton76

Most Dangerous Areas:

Wakefield Central325
Pontefract North West211
Castleford Town199
Streethouse & Sharlston Common173
Agbrigg & Belle Isle146

Safest Areas:

Ryhill & South Hiendley37
Netherton & Middlestown35
Crofton34
Altofts29
Outwood East24

Wakefield Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Wakefield has recorded 4,112 crimes with crime rate of 11.64 ranking 44th 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

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)
Kirklees4,082 651,584 551,990 5
Calderdale2,315 528,196 426,449 4
Bradford6,851 385,632 283,138 2
Leeds10,374 1132,027 1128,903 1

Wakefield Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1740 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 539 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2976 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 270.55 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 340 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025266
April 2025238
March 2025257
February 2025247
January 2025228
December 2024252
November 2024254
October 2024308
September 2024302
August 2024284
July 2024340

A total of 2186 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 198.73 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 263 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025195
April 2025186
March 2025263
February 2025144
January 2025153
December 2024223
November 2024207
October 2024198
September 2024178
August 2024247
July 2024192

A total of 3769 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 342.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 453 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025361
April 2025360
March 2025316
February 2025261
January 2025266
December 2024268
November 2024307
October 2024372
September 2024368
August 2024437
July 2024453

A total of 328 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 29.82 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 41 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202541
March 202526
February 202525
January 202539
December 202426
November 202420
October 202432
September 202424
August 202429
July 202440

A total of 1310 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 119.09 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025123
April 2025134
March 2025122
February 2025119
January 2025106
December 2024124
November 2024114
October 2024129
September 2024107
August 2024114
July 2024118

A total of 3489 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 317.18 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 406 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025286
April 2025335
March 2025311
February 2025290
January 2025316
December 2024258
November 2024295
October 2024325
September 2024307
August 2024406
July 2024360

A total of 1622 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 147.45 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 190 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025154
April 2025120
March 2025141
February 2025125
January 2025171
December 2024141
November 2024190
October 2024122
September 202499
August 2024184
July 2024175

A total of 203 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 18.45 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 29 reported cases.

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

A total of 308 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 28.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 34 reported cases.

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

A total of 260 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 23.64 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 29 reported cases.

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

A total of 17971 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1633.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1814 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251814
April 20251690
March 20251758
February 20251423
January 20251503
December 20241546
November 20241607
October 20241604
September 20241671
August 20241615
July 20241740

A total of 1173 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 106.64 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 123 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025106
April 2025100
March 2025101
February 202595
January 2025107
December 2024123
November 2024110
October 2024114
September 2024103
August 2024106
July 2024108

A total of 2837 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 257.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 297 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025238
April 2025250
March 2025258
February 2025222
January 2025247
December 2024248
November 2024293
October 2024262
September 2024240
August 2024282
July 2024297

A total of 4364 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 396.73 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 539 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025464
April 2025434
March 2025399
February 2025277
January 2025274
December 2024284
November 2024370
October 2024474
September 2024357
August 2024492
July 2024539

High Crime Locations Wakefield in May 2025

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

1. Havertop Lane (Map)
Total49
Public order17
Drugs15
Violence and sexual offences12
Other theft2
Criminal damage and arson2
Possession of weapons1
2. Bullenshaw Road (Map)
Total25
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour5
Criminal damage and arson3
Robbery1
3. Arundel Close (Map)
Total22
Public order8
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson4
Drugs3
Possession of weapons1
4. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total20
Anti-social behaviour7
Shoplifting5
Public order4
Criminal damage and arson4
5. Tuke Grove (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences13
Other theft4
Possession of weapons1
6. Chequers Close (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences11
Criminal damage and arson6

  • 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.