Crime Statistics

Birkenhead Crime Rate

+5.2%year-over-year

Crime is increasing and HIGH in Birkenhead

Birkenhead's crime rate is 117.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than the UK average, with a safety score of 72/100, indicating areas for improvement.

Overall Crime Rate

117.8
Crimes per 1,000 people
increasing trend

Property Crime Rate

31.3
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Birkenhead Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:117.8vs 93.4 UK avg
+24.4 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:31.3vs 33.2 UK avg
-1.9 per 1,000 people

Birkenhead's crime rate is significantly higher than UK average

Based on population of 112,481 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Birkenhead

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Birkenhead
Overall Crime Rate117.8 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate31.3 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score72 out of 100
Population112,481
Trendincreasing
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Birkenhead
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences5,26746.840%
Public order1,49313.311%
Anti-social behaviour1,39012.410%
Criminal damage and arson1,239119%
Drugs1,0989.88%
Shoplifting7246.45%
Other theft6035.45%
Vehicle crime3693.33%
Burglary3533.13%
Other crime3242.92%
Possession of weapons1601.41%
Robbery1030.91%
Bicycle theft1000.91%
Theft from the person320.30%

Understanding Crime in Birkenhead

Birkenhead experiences an overall crime rate of 117.8 per 1,000 residents annually, which is higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. Its safety score of 72 out of 100 is below the national average of 78, suggesting a need for increased vigilance. The crime trend in Birkenhead is currently increasing, with a 5.2% rise year-over-year. These figures provide a vital snapshot of the local crime landscape, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime types and evolving patterns.

Birkenhead Safety Score

72
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Birkenhead's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

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

Most Common Crimes in Birkenhead

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:40%
Per 1,000:46.8
Total:5,267
#2

Public order

Percentage:11%
Per 1,000:13.3
Total:1,493
#3

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:10%
Per 1,000:12.4
Total:1,390
#4

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:9%
Per 1,000:11
Total:1,239
#5

Drugs

Percentage:8%
Per 1,000:9.8
Total:1,098

Protect Against These Threats

scOS security systems are designed to detect and deter the most common crimes in your area, providing 24/7 autonomous protection.

Protect Against These Threats

Crime Type Analysis in Birkenhead

An analysis of crime in Birkenhead highlights that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent category, making up 39.7% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 46.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Public order offences at 11.3% (13.3 per 1,000) and Anti-social behaviour at 10.5% (12.4 per 1,000). These three categories represent the most common criminal activities within the area.

Birkenhead's property-related crime rate stands at 31.3 per 1,000 people per year, which is close to the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This encompasses various offences including burglary (2.7% of total crimes, 3.1 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (9.3% and 11.0 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.8% and 3.3 per 1,000), other theft (4.5% and 5.4 per 1,000), shoplifting (5.5% and 6.4 per 1,000), robbery (0.8% and 0.9 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.8% and 0.9 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.2% and 0.3 per 1,000). For residents, understanding these figures is key to assessing personal and property security needs.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
5,267 incidents (46.8 per 1,000)
Public order
1,493 incidents (13.3 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,390 incidents (12.4 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,239 incidents (11 per 1,000)
Drugs
1,098 incidents (9.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
724 incidents (6.4 per 1,000)
Other theft
603 incidents (5.4 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
369 incidents (3.3 per 1,000)
Burglary
353 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Other crime
324 incidents (2.9 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
160 incidents (1.4 per 1,000)
Robbery
103 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
100 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
32 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

10.8% change(over 12 months)
Birkenhead
UK Average

Compare Birkenhead with similar populations

Birkenhead has a 26.1% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Birkenhead

Birkenhead has observed an increasing crime trend over the past year, with a 5.2% rise year-over-year. A review of the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents shows fluctuations, starting at 10.2 in October 2024, dipping to 8.2 in January 2025, and then generally trending upwards to 11.1 in July 2025 and 11.0 in August 2025, before a slight dip to 9.1 in September 2025. This upward trajectory indicates a need for residents to remain aware of local safety conditions and consider appropriate preventative measures.

When Do Crimes Happen in Birkenhead?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Birkenhead's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Tuesday
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Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Birkenhead?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Other43%
Theft37%
Vehicle Crime12%
Burglary9%
Violence0%

Morning hours see elevated theft and vehicle crime activity.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft40%
Other40%
Burglary16%
Vehicle Crime4%
Violence0%

Afternoons show increased theft and burglary, aligning with peak activity.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other63%
Theft14%
Burglary12%
Vehicle Crime10%
Violence0%

Evenings see prevalent 'Other' crime types, with some burglary and vehicle offences.

Night

12am - 6am

Other47%
Vehicle Crime29%
Burglary17%
Theft8%
Violence0%

Night-time hours are notable for higher vehicle crime and burglary incidents.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Birkenhead's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Birkenhead, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Time Patterns of Crime in Birkenhead

Crime in Birkenhead exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a notable proportion of theft and vehicle crime, alongside some burglary. During the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains prevalent, often coinciding with busier commercial periods, with burglary incidents also observed. Evenings (6pm-12am) show a shift, with a higher percentage of 'Other' crime types, accompanied by vehicle and burglary offences. Night-time (12am-6am) is particularly marked by a significant proportion of vehicle crime and burglary, indicating that properties are more vulnerable during these hours.

Police Response Times in Birkenhead

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

9 minActual
Actual
9 min
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min
6 min faster than target

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

10h 18mActual
Actual
10h 18m
Target
1h
UK Average
1h
9h 18m slower than target

Active Officers

4,159

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

2024 data
Mean response times
Source: FOI Request

Birkenhead in Regional Context

Comparing Birkenhead with its nearby areas provides a valuable regional perspective. At 117.8 per 1,000, Birkenhead's crime rate is higher than Wallasey, Greasby, and Heswall, and also surpasses the overall Wirral average. This indicates that Birkenhead experiences a higher intensity of criminal activity compared to some of its immediate neighbours. Understanding these local variations is crucial for residents to contextualise the safety environment within the broader region.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

Traditional systems watch crime happen. scOS stops it from happening.

Sees Everything At Once

AI watches all cameras simultaneously. Never blinks. Never looks away. Impossible to sneak past.

Property line intervention

Knows Every Vehicle

DVLA verification catches fake plates instantly. Suspicious car? You know before they park.

Stop them early

Learns Your Patterns

Recognizes family, delivery times, normal routines. Only alerts you to real threats.

Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

  • Records crime as it happens
  • Motion alerts for every shadow, leaf, or car passing by
  • You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • Hope police can use the footage

scOS Intelligence

  • Stops threats before they reach your door
  • Intelligent motion alerts — only notifies you of real threats
  • Lights and speakers respond autonomously
  • They turn away before you even know

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Protecting Your Property in Birkenhead

With Birkenhead's property crime rate of 31.3 per 1,000 residents, which is close to the national average, a robust home security strategy is essential. While many security cameras simply record a burglary, providing footage after the event, proactive security focuses on preventing the crime from happening.

Consider systems like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system designed to deter criminals before they breach your property. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary, acting as an early warning system. Its advanced features, such as DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning, ensure that only real threats trigger alerts, avoiding unnecessary disturbances. When a threat is detected, scOS can activate lights and engage speakers, creating an element of surprise that makes most burglars reconsider within 60 seconds. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, offering a significant advantage over reactive recording systems and providing real peace of mind.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Birkenhead

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Birkenhead. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.ukCrime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National StatisticsPopulation statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home OfficeNationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI RequestsAdditional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

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

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.