Crime and Safety in Northwich
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Northwich is the second most dangerous small town in Cheshire, and is the 38th most dangerous overall out of Cheshire's 321 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Northwich in 2026 is 75 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to Cheshire's overall crime rate, coming in 32% higher than the Cheshire rate of 57 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Northwich is the 240th most dangerous small town, and the 1,533rd most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In April 2024, Northwich had the worst crime rate in Cheshire for robbery, with 5 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.19 per 1,000 daytime population. March 2023 was also a bad month for Northwich residents, when it was Cheshire's most dangerous area for theft from the person, recording 3 crimes at a rate of 0.12 per 1,000 daytime population. Northwich recorded 3 reports of possession of weapons during May 2019, making its crime rate of 0.12 the worst for possession of weapons in Cheshire that month.
The most common crimes in Northwich are violence and sexual offences, with 972 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 37. This is 2.9% lower than 2025's figure of 1,001 offences and a difference of 1.13 from 2025's crime rate of 38. Northwich's least common crime is theft from the person, with 7 offences recorded in 2026, an increase of 40% from 2025's figure of 5 crimes.
Northwich 2026 Crime Scorecard
Second Most Dangerous
Small Towns, Cheshire
74% higher, regional crime rate
North West
4.8% higher, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Northwich is 74% higher than the North West and 4.8% higher than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Northwich Crime Rate Over Time
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| North West | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Northwich Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Northwich represent the time frame between January 2016 and April 2026. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualise the data you need.
See How Northwich Compares
You can compare Northwich's crime statistics against any other town, village, or city from across the country. Search for a location's name below to see how they stack up.
Introduction to Northwich's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Northwich up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Northwich's 700 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending April 2026 unless otherwise stated.
CrimeRate Insights
Looking into a specific address in Northwich? CrimeRate Insights reports convert raw numbers into practical insight for any location, from single addresses and postcodes, up to major towns and cities.
Crime rates don’t happen by themselves; they follow people and patterns. Where crowds gather - near pubs and late-night venues, around the station, by supermarkets and forecourts - incidents naturally concentrate.
That doesn’t mean an area is "bad"; it usually means footfall is higher.
Your report explores these factors in a calm, non-judgemental way, putting the numbers in context and helping you spot what’s typical for places like this.
Crime Risk Scores
Northwich • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Northwich has a crime risk score of 580. This is based on analysis of 700 nearby areas within Northwich, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Northwich's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Northwich, crime risk scores are typically around 580, while in Cheshire they are average 486.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 606 (475 for Cheshire), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 614 (Cheshire 477).
Trends in Crime Risk
Northwich
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
No trend could be found in Northwich's crime risk scores over the last 10 years, and the trend may well be static.
Looking at the previous five years, the trend in Northwich's crime risk score is down by 19%. While potentially a good indicator of the overall risk trend, cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
Over the last year, Northwich's crime risk score has shown a downward trend of approximately 12%, indicating that the risk profile is going down. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Northwich
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Northwich • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Public Order offences have a crime rate of 9.40 reports per 1,000 people in Northwich, which is 1.62 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 249 crime reports logged by Cheshire Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Cheshire Police recorded 26 reports of Possession of Weapons in Northwich, resulting in a crime rate of 1.00 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 1.27.
The crime rate for Shoplifting is 1.24 times the national average at 8.82 reports per 1,000. This is from 233 crime reports reported to Cheshire Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Northwich
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Burglary offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.42 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 1.30 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 9% over this timeframe.
Possession of Weapons offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.57 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Possession of Weapons CrimeRate Index was 1.71 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 67% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Northwich
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Vehicle Crime offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.31 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Vehicle Crime CrimeRate Index was 0.18 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 72% over this timeframe.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.56 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Criminal Damage and Arson CrimeRate Index was 0.86 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 35% over this timeframe.
Theft From the Person offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.67 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Theft From the Person CrimeRate Index was 0.62 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 8% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Northwich • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Northwich | Cheshire | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 295 | 11.15 | 0.79 | 7,389 | 5.65 | 0.40 | 68,604 | 7.93 | 0.56 |
| Bicycle Theft | 16 | 0.62 | 1.38 | 625 | 0.47 | 0.64 | 2,963 | 0.35 | 0.48 |
| Burglary | 70 | 2.65 | 0.85 | 2,485 | 1.90 | 0.61 | 13,151 | 1.50 | 0.48 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 119 | 4.50 | 0.72 | 5,329 | 4.07 | 0.65 | 34,232 | 3.94 | 0.63 |
| Drugs | 78 | 2.92 | 0.94 | 3,853 | 2.94 | 0.95 | 23,463 | 2.70 | 0.87 |
| Other Crime | 51 | 1.94 | 1.05 | 1,989 | 1.52 | 0.82 | 11,008 | 1.28 | 0.69 |
| Other Theft | 112 | 4.22 | 0.74 | 4,753 | 3.62 | 0.64 | 24,256 | 2.79 | 0.49 |
| Possession of Weapons | 26 | 1.00 | 1.27 | 829 | 0.64 | 0.75 | 4,543 | 0.53 | 0.62 |
| Public Order | 249 | 9.40 | 1.62 | 9,119 | 6.98 | 1.20 | 36,702 | 4.23 | 0.73 |
| Robbery | 17 | 0.65 | 0.83 | 458 | 0.35 | 0.30 | 3,301 | 0.38 | 0.32 |
| Shoplifting | 233 | 8.82 | 1.24 | 5,365 | 4.10 | 0.58 | 27,614 | 3.18 | 0.45 |
| Theft From the Person | 7 | 0.28 | 0.43 | 264 | 0.21 | 0.14 | 1,948 | 0.23 | 0.15 |
| Vehicle Crime | 46 | 1.75 | 0.41 | 2,191 | 1.67 | 0.39 | 14,353 | 1.67 | 0.39 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 972 | 36.71 | 1.21 | 37,331 | 28.56 | 0.94 | 178,380 | 20.58 | 0.68 |
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Total Crime by Year
Northwich | Cheshire | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 1,996 | 75.46 | 1.07 | 74,591 | 57.03 | 0.79 | 375,914 | 43.36 | 0.60 |
| 2025 | 2,151 | 81.90 | 1.14 | 75,689 | 58.27 | 0.79 | 373,106 | 43.34 | 0.59 |
| 2024 | 2,048 | 79.22 | 1.08 | 76,482 | 59.44 | 0.79 | 380,165 | 44.52 | 0.59 |
| 2023 | 2,545 | 100.63 | 1.30 | 85,426 | 67.07 | 0.85 | 418,544 | 49.63 | 0.63 |
| 2022 | 2,387 | 96.14 | 1.28 | 75,838 | 60.39 | 0.79 | 410,255 | 49.27 | 0.64 |
| 2021 | 2,216 | 89.32 | 1.33 | 77,168 | 62.01 | 0.90 | 363,499 | 44.00 | 0.64 |
| 2020 | 2,274 | 91.91 | 1.26 | 84,160 | 68.11 | 0.92 | 388,434 | 47.29 | 0.64 |
| 2019 | 2,322 | 94.50 | 1.26 | 80,803 | 65.69 | 0.86 | 412,412 | 50.39 | 0.66 |
| 2018 | 2,075 | 85.65 | 1.23 | 81,117 | 66.34 | 0.93 | 361,592 | 44.45 | 0.63 |
| 2017 | 1,710 | 71.62 | 1.16 | 62,384 | 51.37 | 0.80 | 303,042 | 37.41 | 0.59 |
| 2016 | 479 | 20.16 | 1.08 | 15,857 | 13.13 | 0.69 | 87,310 | 10.80 | 0.57 |
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Northwich Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantwich | 1,378 | 74.75 | 0.94% safer |
| Northwich | 1,996 | 75.46 | - |
| Middlewich | 1,011 | 62.85 | 17% safer |
| Upton-by-Chester | 443 | 48.53 | 36% safer |
| Burtonwood and Westbrook | 695 | 52.98 | 30% safer |
| Wistaston | 386 | 43.43 | 42% safer |
| Frodsham | 443 | 44.06 | 42% safer |
| Alsager | 712 | 44.56 | 41% safer |
| Culcheth and Glazebury | 324 | 38.88 | 48% safer |
| Sandbach | 1,161 | 46.06 | 39% safer |
| Poulton-with-Fearnhead | 855 | 42.87 | 43% safer |
| Neston | 632 | 39.22 | 48% safer |
Comparing Northwich to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Northwich | 75.46 | - |
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 5% more dangerous |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 10% more dangerous |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 11% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 30% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 39% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 39% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 41% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 42% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 43% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 66% more dangerous |
CrimeRate Pro
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You can find out more, or get a CrimeRate Insights report that includes further analysis.
Offences In and Around Northwich's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Northwich that are named and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries in the 12 months to Apr 2026.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnington Allotments | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 3 |
| Moss Farm Recreation Centre | 11 | - | 1 | - | 15 | 7 |
| Verdin Park | 3 | 2 | 4 | - | 29 | 14 |
| Queensgate Allotments | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Church Walk Playing Fields | 1 | 3 | 5 | - | 17 | 11 |
| Griffiths Park | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 0 |
| Vickersway Park | - | - | 1 | - | 5 | 1 |
| Old Hall Road Play Area | 1 | - | - | - | 8 | 2 |
| Rudheath Cemetery | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| Marbury Country Park | 3 | - | 1 | - | 9 | 6 |
| Anderton Nature Park | 3 | - | - | - | 5 | 3 |
| Memorial Court | - | 4 | 5 | - | 19 | 8 |
Recent Crimes in Northwich
The 20 most recent crime reports in Northwich.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Ash Street | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Worthing Street | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Watling Street | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Wesley Place | |
| April 2026 | Other crime | On or near Worthing Street | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Greenlaw Close | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Greenlaw Close | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Greenlaw Close | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Ash Street | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Ash Street | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near A5509 | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Ash Street | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Danefield Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Waterbank Row | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Signal Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Waterbank Row | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Danefield Road |
Methodology & Data Sources
Northwich Crime Report
Data Sources & Processing
Every month, CrimeRate processes crime reports from data.police.uk, the UK's official provider of open crime report data. Each crime report includes anonymised coordinates, most often "snapped" to the middle of the nearest street, or to the nearest major landmark. The reports also include the month and year the crime was reported, as well as the type of crime.
Data releases on data.police.uk happen once a month, with a two-month delay. This means that, for example, crimes reported in Northwich during August 2026 will typically become available in October 2026. The latest release is for Apr 2026 and was released in Jun 2026. To provide current and historical crime statistics, CrimeRate processed 61,669,232 crime reports for the latest release.
Northwich Data Points
For Northwich, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2023 release of their Parishes and Non Civil Parished Areas dataset, using the PARNCP23CD column value E04012556.
Due to the 2021 Census being conducted during a UK-wide Coronavirus lockdown, the daytime population figures released so far cannot be relied on for purposes such as comparing crime rates. Instead, CrimeRate uses Northwich's daytime - or "workday" - population of 20,090 from the ONS 2011 Census for calculations throughout the site.
All geographic boundaries use the full resolution - extent of the realm versions where provided to avoid missing crime reports near coastlines and rivers - the banks of the Thames in particular - that would otherwise not be included when using the clipped to the coastline datasets.
Calculating Crime Rates
CrimeRate locates the UK region, county, and town/city/village locality for each crime report, and calculates the crime rate by taking the sum of all crime reports, dividing it by the locality's daytime / "workday" population, and multiplying the result by 1,000 to get the crime rate per 1,000.
Crime Risk Score Calculations
CrimeRate calculates crime counts for local, nearby, and wider areas for every postcode in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The postcodes locations are deduplicated by a process that ensures distinct points are approximately 50 metres apart. This process removes the bias that would otherwise come from counting the same crimes several times in heavily populated areas.
Using a custom algorithm developed in-house, CrimeRate applies a crime severity weighting to each area's crime counts, based on the type of crime reported. This increases or decreases the crime count, or zeroes it out entirely, depending on the crime type. A separate crime severity rate is then calculated, standardised, and scaled to fit the crime risk score range of 1 to 1,000, with 1 being the lowest score, and 1,000 the highest.
Crime risk scores undergo further analysis per town, city, and village plus other areas including police forces and neighbourhoods. CrimeRate uses percentiles to work out the most common range of crime risk scores in each locality. This includes identifying the high and low bounds where approximately 68% of scores fall, and finding the median (50th percentile) for easy reference.
The crime types with a weight of zero are: Anti-Social Behaviour; Bicycle Theft; Other Crime; Other Theft; and Shoplifting. The highest weights to are assigned to Violence & Sexual Offences, and the lowest to Vehicle Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crime in Northwich