Local Area Crime Statistics

Wirral Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in Wirral

Wirral's crime rate is 78.9 per 1,000 residents, below the UK average, with a strong safety score of 81/100, indicating a safer environment.

Overall Crime Rate

78.9
per 1,000 people
16% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

20.4
per 1,000 people
39% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 328,873 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Wirral

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Wirral
Overall Crime Rate78.9 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate20.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score81 out of 100
Population328,873
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Wirral
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences10,77532.842%
Anti-social behaviour3,0309.212%
Public order2,7508.411%
Criminal damage and arson2,3737.29%
Drugs1,7995.57%
Other theft1,2873.95%
Shoplifting1,1573.54%
Vehicle crime7512.33%
Burglary7042.13%
Other crime6171.92%
Possession of weapons2710.81%
Robbery2060.61%
Bicycle theft1910.61%
Theft from the person520.20%

Understanding Crime in Wirral

Wirral reports an overall crime rate of 78.9 per 1,000 residents annually, positioning it below the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. This is reflected in a safety score of 81 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 78, suggesting Wirral is a comparatively safer area. The crime trend in Wirral has remained stable, with a modest 2.0% increase year-over-year. These figures provide a general overview, setting the context for a more detailed examination of specific crime types and trends within the region.

Wirral Safety Score

81
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Wirral has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

About Wirral

Wirral, a significant local authority district, encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from bustling urban centres to more tranquil suburban and coastal areas. Its characteristics as a mixed residential and commercial region, coupled with various transport links and local amenities, play a role in shaping its crime statistics. The population density varies across the district, contributing to different crime patterns in its constituent towns and villages. Economic factors, including employment opportunities and local deprivation levels, can also influence the prevalence of certain crime types. Understanding these underlying characteristics helps to contextualise why Wirral has its particular crime rate and safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
10,775 incidents (32.8 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
3,030 incidents (9.2 per 1,000)
Public order
2,750 incidents (8.4 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
2,373 incidents (7.2 per 1,000)
Drugs
1,799 incidents (5.5 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,287 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,157 incidents (3.5 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
751 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Burglary
704 incidents (2.1 per 1,000)
Other crime
617 incidents (1.9 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
271 incidents (0.8 per 1,000)
Robbery
206 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
191 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
52 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

5.8% change(over 12 months)
Wirral
UK Average

Compare Wirral with similar populations

Wirral has a 15.5% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Wirral

An in-depth look at crime in Wirral reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 41.5% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 32.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour at 11.7% (9.2 per 1,000) and Public order offences at 10.6% (8.4 per 1,000). These three categories represent the most prevalent issues in the area.

Regarding property-related crime, Wirral's rate stands at 20.4 per 1,000 people per year, which is notably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category combines various offences including burglary (2.7% of total crimes, 2.1 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (9.1%, 7.2 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.9%, 2.3 per 1,000), other theft (5.0%, 3.9 per 1,000), shoplifting (4.5%, 3.5 per 1,000), robbery (0.8%, 0.6 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.7%, 0.6 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.2%, 0.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, this lower property crime rate suggests a comparatively reduced risk, although awareness and preventative measures remain important for all types of crime.

Crime Trends in Wirral

Wirral has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a 2.0% increase year-over-year. Examining the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents provides further insight into this pattern. The rate saw fluctuations, starting at 6.9 in October 2024, dipping to 5.5 in January 2025, and then generally rising to 7.5 in August 2025 before settling at 6.5 in September 2025. This pattern suggests a relatively consistent level of criminal activity without significant spikes or drops, indicating that while the overall trend is stable, there are minor seasonal or short-term variations that residents should be aware of.

Wirral in Regional Context

When comparing Wirral to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional picture emerges. Wirral's overall crime rate of 78.9 per 1,000 is lower than that of Liverpool and Knowsley, which typically experience higher rates due to their urban characteristics. It is broadly comparable to Sefton and St. Helens. Against areas like Flintshire and Halton, Wirral maintains a generally more favourable position. This comparison highlights Wirral's relative safety within the broader regional landscape, offering residents and prospective movers valuable context about the local crime environment.

Protecting Your Property in Wirral

Given Wirral's property crime rate of 20.4 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average, it remains crucial for residents to consider robust home security measures. Traditional security systems often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, acting as a reactive measure. However, a proactive approach to security can significantly deter potential criminals.

For those seeking to genuinely prevent crime, advanced systems like scOS offer a different paradigm. Instead of merely recording an incident, scOS uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping them before a break-in can happen. This multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and can even verify vehicles with DVLA integration to catch fake plates instantly. By learning your routines, scOS only alerts on real threats, avoiding false alarms. Such autonomous response capabilities, including activating lights and engaging speakers, destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. The right security system makes that 60-second decision easy for a potential intruder – they move on to an easier target. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment like scOS signals serious protection, offering a proactive shield against property crime.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Wirral

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.ukRecorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National StatisticsDemographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home OfficeNational offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI RequestsSupplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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