Walsall Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Walsall

Walsall's crime rate stands at 100.3 per 1,000 people per year, placing it slightly above the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. Despite this, the area maintains a commendable safety score of 76 out of 100, indicating a relatively secure environment. This score is just below the UK average of 78/100. Encouragingly, Walsall has experienced a positive shift in its crime landscape, with a notable decrease of 10.6% in overall crime year-on-year. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed examination of crime statistics within Walsall, providing residents and prospective residents with a comprehensive understanding of local safety.

About Walsall

Walsall, a large metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, is characterised by a diverse blend of urban and suburban environments. It features a mix of residential areas, a vibrant town centre with commercial activity, and historical industrial zones. The borough serves as a significant transport hub, with various road networks connecting it to surrounding cities like Birmingham and Wolverhampton, which can influence transient populations. Its population of 295,678 contributes to a dynamic atmosphere. While Walsall offers numerous amenities and employment opportunities, these factors, combined with its connectivity and population density, can contribute to the area's crime statistics. Understanding these underlying characteristics helps to contextualise the crime rates and safety score observed within the borough.

Crime Type Analysis in Walsall

An in-depth look at crime types in Walsall reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 38.4% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 38.5 per 1,000 people. Shoplifting follows as the second most prevalent issue, making up 12.7% of crimes with a rate of 12.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour ranks third, representing 8.8% of the total, at 8.9 per 1,000 residents.

Focusing on property-related crime, Walsall experiences a rate of 41.4 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses burglary (4.0 per 1,000), vehicle crime (7.7 per 1,000), other theft (5.9 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (8.6 per 1,000), robbery (1.4 per 1,000), theft from the person (0.5 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (0.5 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures highlight the importance of securing personal property and vehicles, as these offences collectively represent a notable portion of local crime. Proactive measures can help mitigate the risks associated with these prevalent property crimes.

Walsall Crime Trends

Examining the crime trends in Walsall reveals an encouraging picture, with an overall year-on-year decrease of 10.6%. This positive shift suggests an improvement in the local safety landscape over the past twelve months. Looking at the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents, a fluctuating but generally downward trend can be observed. For instance, the rate was 9.5 in October 2024, dipping to 7.3 in February 2025, before a slight rise to 8.7 in May 2025. The trend concluded with 8.1 in September 2025, lower than the starting point.

This consistent reduction in crime rates, particularly the significant year-on-year change, indicates effective local initiatives or community efforts contributing to a safer environment. For residents, this trend offers reassurance, suggesting that the area is moving in a positive direction regarding public safety. Continued vigilance and support for local policing and community programmes can help sustain this downward trajectory.

Comparing Walsall with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, it is useful to compare Walsall's crime statistics with those of its neighbours. Walsall's overall crime rate of 100.3 per 1,000 is higher than some nearby areas but comparable to others in the wider West Midlands conurbation. For instance, areas like Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire are typically more rural and often exhibit lower crime rates. In contrast, larger urban centres such as Birmingham, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, and Dudley are often associated with higher crime volumes due to factors like population density and diverse socio-economic conditions. Walsall's position within this regional landscape suggests it shares some characteristics with its more urban counterparts while also maintaining a distinct local profile. This comparison helps residents understand Walsall's safety standing within the broader regional context.

Protecting Your Property in Walsall

Given Walsall's property crime rate of 41.4 per 1,000, which is above the national average, prioritising home security is a sensible consideration for residents. While traditional security measures like basic CCTV can record incidents, they often provide footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. The focus should be on proactive protection to deter criminals before they gain entry.

Modern, AI-powered home security systems, such as scOS, offer a different approach. Instead of merely notifying you after an event, scOS detects threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, identifying potential intruders and even verifying vehicle plates instantly. This proactive deterrence is crucial, as most burglars decide whether to proceed within 60 seconds. A visible, professional-grade system like scOS engages speakers and activates lights autonomously, destroying the element of surprise and making intruders move on. While DIY systems have their place, for those seeking serious protection against property crime, a professional solution that intervenes in real-time offers a significant advantage in safeguarding your home and belongings.