Crime Rate in Wirral: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Wirral

The total recorded crimes in Wirral, UK in May 2025 are around 3,573 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Wirral crime rate of 11.16 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 Wirral, encompassing approximately 320,199 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1442) incidents (15.08% increase)
  • Public order: (411) incidents (14.17% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (347) incidents (-12.59% decrease)
Wirral Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 66
  • Cedar Street with total crimes: 51
  • Catherine Street with total crimes: 51

Wirral Police Info:

Merseyside Police

How safe is Wirral?

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

    • Wirral has recorded 42,751 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 133.51 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 51 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 43,583 crimes with a crime rate of 136.11, ranking it 40 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Merseyside:

    • In 2024, Wirral reported a higher crime volume than the Merseyside average, with 42,751 crimes compared to 39,728. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Wirral recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Wirral experienced a greater number of crimes than the Merseyside average, with 43,583 crimes compared to 38,990. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Wirral recorded fewer crimes than 3 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

    • Compared to other cities in Merseyside, Wirral has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Wirral Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Birkenhead and Tranmere (691 crimes), and the safest, West Kirby and Thurstaston (39 crimes), is 652 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Wirral.

Similarly, the area of Birkenhead Central (538 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Saughall Massie (12 crimes), with a difference of 526 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Wirral.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Birkenhead and Tranmere691
Bidston and St James350
Claughton295
Oxton283
Liscard270

Safest Wards:

Moreton West and Saughall Massie60
Clatterbridge42
Pensby and Thingwall40
Greasby, Frankby and Irby40
West Kirby and Thurstaston39

Most Dangerous Areas:

Birkenhead Central538
Oxton South285
Bidston Hill282
Birkenhead South232
Liscard186

Safest Areas:

Great Meols16
Pensby & Thingwall15
Bromborough South15
Thurstaston & Irby14
Saughall Massie12

Wirral Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Wirral has recorded 3,573 crimes with crime rate of 11.16 ranking 58th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Merseyside.

In 2024, the total Wirral crimes were 42,751. The crime rate of Wirral in 2024 was 133.51 (year) or 11.13 (month) ranking it 51 danzarous in the UK. Wirral ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Merseyside.

In 2023, the total crimes in Wirral were around 43,583 crimes with yearly crime rate of 136.11 (year) or 11.34 (month) ranking 40 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Merseyside, Wirral ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 2 as per crime rate of Wirral

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Merseyside)CrimesRank (Merseyside)CrimesRank (Merseyside)
Sefton2,294 527,528 526,412 5
Knowsley1,282 416,090 416,393 4
St. Helens1,591 319,895 320,908 3
Liverpool7,655 192,378 187,652 1

Wirral Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1442 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (411 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1253 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (397 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1336 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (393 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1233 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 322 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1223 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (353 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1341 incidents, and Drugs was another prevalent crime category with 313 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1323 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (354 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1220 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (547 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1313 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Public order (403 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1403 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (367 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1403 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 434 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (2758 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (890 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 409 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 34.08 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 59 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202559
March 202522
February 202524
January 202552
December 202432
November 202426
October 202447
September 202416
August 202430
July 202433
June 202442

A total of 2217 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 184.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 414 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025159
April 2025147
March 2025182
February 2025122
January 2025130
December 2024223
November 2024161
October 2024181
September 2024130
August 2024170
July 2024198
June 2024414

A total of 4511 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 375.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 768 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025411
April 2025360
March 2025308
February 2025318
January 2025238
December 2024239
November 2024325
October 2024341
September 2024403
August 2024367
July 2024433
June 2024768

A total of 96 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 202510
March 20258
February 20259
January 20255
December 20244
November 202411
October 20242
September 20247
August 20247
July 202413
June 202416

A total of 1064 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 88.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 176 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202569
April 202564
March 2025112
February 202566
January 202567
December 2024106
November 202475
October 202492
September 202464
August 202465
July 2024108
June 2024176

A total of 3743 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 311.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 650 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025305
April 2025253
March 2025304
February 2025231
January 2025242
December 2024244
November 2024276
October 2024343
September 2024255
August 2024295
July 2024345
June 2024650

A total of 1440 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 120.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 344 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025144
April 2025124
March 202592
February 202586
January 202582
December 202480
November 202488
October 202484
September 2024101
August 2024116
July 202499
June 2024344

A total of 2637 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 219.75 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 340 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025208
April 2025340
March 2025170
February 2025249
January 2025159
December 2024313
November 2024194
October 2024222
September 2024147
August 2024129
July 2024196
June 2024310

A total of 2386 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 198.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 370 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025291
April 2025249
March 2025213
February 2025138
January 2025143
December 2024125
November 2024157
October 2024158
September 2024167
August 2024159
July 2024216
June 2024370

A total of 17248 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1437.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 2758 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251442
April 20251253
March 20251336
February 20251233
January 20251223
December 20241341
November 20241323
October 20241220
September 20241313
August 20241403
July 20241403
June 20242758

A total of 292 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 24.33 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202531
April 202544
March 202530
February 202528
January 20254
December 202413
November 202418
October 202424
September 202419
August 202418
July 202433
June 202430

A total of 4913 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 409.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 890 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025347
April 2025397
March 2025393
February 2025322
January 2025353
December 2024272
November 2024354
October 2024547
September 2024267
August 2024337
July 2024434
June 2024890

A total of 309 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202525
April 202538
March 202521
February 202525
January 202518
December 202427
November 202421
October 202418
September 202425
August 202414
July 202437
June 202440

A total of 1139 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 94.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 194 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025111
April 202589
March 202588
February 202581
January 202565
December 202470
November 202466
October 2024114
September 202490
August 202468
July 2024103
June 2024194

High Crime Locations Wirral in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total66
Shoplifting54
Public order6
Anti-social behaviour6
2. Cedar Street (Map)
Total51
Violence and sexual offences39
Public order6
Other theft6
3. Catherine Street (Map)
Total51
Shoplifting27
Public order9
Vehicle crime6
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour3
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting21
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order6
Burglary6
Other crime3
5. Kings Mount (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting18
Public order12
Criminal damage and arson12
Robbery6
6. Silverlea Avenue (Map)
Total42
Violence and sexual offences30
Anti-social behaviour12

To know about postcode areas in Wirral, visit Wirral 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
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