Wolverhampton Crime Rate

Wolverhampton's latest crime data shows an overall crime rate of 100.4 per 1,000 people for the period from January 2025 to December 2025. While this figure is above the UK national average of 91.6, the city maintains a safety score of 75/100. Most importantly, the crime trend is currently decreasing, with a significant 12.6% drop year-over-year. This positive shift suggests that Wolverhampton is becoming safer for its residents and businesses. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the city's crime statistics, monthly patterns, and practical safety advice to help the community continue this encouraging trend.

About Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton is a major city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant multicultural community. It is a significant economic hub with a large university, a bustling city centre, and several major commercial and industrial zones. The presence of the University of Wolverhampton brings a large student population to the city, which influences local demographics and nightlife.

The city's economy is diverse, with strengths in manufacturing, retail, and services. Wolverhampton's central location and excellent transport links, including a major rail station and proximity to the M6 motorway, make it a highly accessible area. However, like many large cities, these factors can also lead to higher crime rates in certain areas, particularly for offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The blend of busy urban centres, diverse residential neighbourhoods, and industrial parks creates a complex crime profile that is typical of a large metropolitan borough in the heart of England.

Crime Breakdown in Wolverhampton

The most common crime in Wolverhampton is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.4% of all reports with 11,967 incidents. Shoplifting is the second most frequent at 11.8%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 7.9%. The high rate of shoplifting (11.8 per 1,000) is reflective of the city's status as a major regional retail centre.

Property crime in Wolverhampton—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 39.3 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is a notable concern, occurring at a rate of 7.7 per 1,000, while burglary is recorded at 3.4 per 1,000. For residents, these figures highlight the importance of securing both homes and vehicles. The high volume of criminal damage and arson also suggests that opportunistic vandalism is a common issue. Protecting property through visible deterrents and reinforced security is essential for maintaining safety in Wolverhampton's diverse urban environment.

Crime Trends in Wolverhampton

The crime trend in Wolverhampton has shown a significant decrease over the past year, with a total drop of 12.6% year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in July at 9.2, which is typical for the summer months.

The lowest rate was recorded in December, dipping to 7.1 per 1,000. Throughout the year, there was a steady decline from the mid-year highs, with the rate consistently dropping from July onwards. This downward trend is a very positive indicator for the city, suggesting that local safety initiatives and policing are having a substantial and sustained impact on the area's overall crime volume. For residents, this provides a more encouraging outlook for the city's future safety.

Wolverhampton is a key city in the West Midlands. When compared to nearby areas like Walsall, South Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Cannock Chase, and Birmingham—all of which show 0.0 crimes in this specific comparison data—Wolverhampton's rate of 100.4 per 1,000 people stands out. However, in a regional context, Wolverhampton is a major urban and commercial hub, which naturally leads to higher reported crime volumes than its more residential or rural neighbours. For those living in the Black Country, Wolverhampton offers a vibrant city experience with an improving safety profile.

Home Security and Protection in Wolverhampton

With a property crime rate of 39.3 per 1,000 residents, Wolverhampton homeowners should prioritize effective security. In a city where vehicle crime and shoplifting are top concerns, the threat to property is often opportunistic. Traditional security cameras can provide evidence after a crime, but they do little to stop an intruder from entering your home or damaging your property.

scOS provides a more advanced, proactive solution. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour walking by and a genuine threat lurking near your home. For Wolverhampton residents, the system's ability to autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings the moment a boundary is breached is a powerful deterrent. It destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Furthermore, scOS can verify vehicle plates against DVLA data, helping to identify suspicious vehicles in your neighbourhood. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS offers a superior level of protection for homes in Wolverhampton's busy urban environment.

How To Keep Safe in Wolverhampton

Violence and sexual offences, along with shoplifting and criminal damage, are the most prevalent crimes in Wolverhampton. These are often concentrated around the city centre and major retail hubs. To stay safe, consider these tips:

1. When out in Wolverhampton city centre, stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone late at night; use the main roads rather than quiet side streets.
2. Be mindful of your belongings in busy shopping areas like the Mander Centre or Wulfrun Centre to prevent opportunistic theft and pickpocketing.
3. If you encounter anti-social behaviour or public disorder, do not engage; move to a safe, populated area and report the incident to the authorities.
4. Given the rate of vehicle crime, always double-check that your car is locked and never leave electronics or bags visible on the seats, even for short periods.
5. In residential areas, join a local Neighbourhood Watch group to stay informed about recent activity and help foster a more secure community environment.