Crime and Safety in Carlisle
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Carlisle is the most dangerous major town in Cumbria, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of Cumbria's 279 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Carlisle in 2026 is 105 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to Cumbria's overall crime rate, coming in 59% higher than the Cumbria rate of 66 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Carlisle is among the top 20 most dangerous major towns, and the 414th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In March 2026, Carlisle had the worst crime rate in Cumbria for robbery, with 6 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.08 per 1,000 daytime population. October 2024 was also a bad month for Carlisle residents, when it was again Cumbria's most dangerous area for robbery, recording 5 crimes at a rate of 0.07 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Carlisle are violence and sexual offences, with 3,643 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 50. This is 4.5% higher than 2025's figure of 3,486 offences and a difference of 2.18 from 2025's crime rate of 47. Carlisle's least common crime is robbery, with 41 offences recorded in 2026, an increase of 28% from 2025's figure of 32 crimes.
Carlisle 2026 Crime Scorecard
Most Dangerous
Major Towns, Cumbria
143% higher, regional crime rate
North West
46% higher, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Carlisle is 143% higher than the North West and 46% higher than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Carlisle Crime Rate Over Time
| Carlisle | |
| North West | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Carlisle Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Carlisle 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 Carlisle Compares
You can compare Carlisle'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 Carlisle's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Carlisle up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Carlisle's 1,647 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 Carlisle? 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
Carlisle • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Carlisle has a crime risk score of 700. This is based on analysis of 1,647 nearby areas within Carlisle, 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 Carlisle's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Carlisle, crime risk scores are typically around 700, while in Cumbria they are average 603.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 754 (577 for Cumbria), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 793 (Cumbria 573).
Trends in Crime Risk
Carlisle
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 Carlisle'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 Carlisle's crime risk score is down by 2.0%. 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, Carlisle's crime risk score has shown an upward trend of approximately 2.5%, indicating that the risk profile is going up. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Carlisle
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
Carlisle • 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 13 reports per 1,000 people in Carlisle, which is 2.19 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 934 crime reports logged by Cumbria Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Cumbria Police recorded 466 reports of Drugs in Carlisle, resulting in a crime rate of 6.36 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 2.06.
The crime rate for Possession of Weapons is 1.96 times the national average at 1.67 reports per 1,000. This is from 122 crime reports reported to Cumbria Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Carlisle
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.
Public Order offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 2.81 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Public Order CrimeRate Index was 1.41 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 99% over this timeframe.
Theft From the Person offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.58 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Theft From the Person CrimeRate Index was 0.08 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 625% over this timeframe.
Drugs offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 2.74 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Drugs CrimeRate Index was 2.38 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 15% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Carlisle
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.80 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Criminal Damage and Arson CrimeRate Index was 2.11 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 15% over this timeframe.
Robbery offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.00 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Robbery CrimeRate Index was 0.89 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 12% over this timeframe.
Shoplifting offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.64 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Shoplifting CrimeRate Index was 1.44 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 14% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Carlisle • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Carlisle | Cumbria | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 555 | 7.55 | 0.53 | 2,356 | 4.26 | 0.30 | 68,604 | 7.93 | 0.56 |
| Bicycle Theft | 94 | 1.28 | 1.75 | 244 | 0.43 | 0.59 | 2,963 | 0.35 | 0.48 |
| Burglary | 146 | 1.99 | 0.64 | 1,030 | 1.87 | 0.60 | 13,151 | 1.50 | 0.48 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 785 | 10.70 | 1.70 | 3,844 | 6.93 | 1.10 | 34,232 | 3.94 | 0.63 |
| Drugs | 466 | 6.36 | 2.06 | 1,818 | 3.29 | 1.06 | 23,463 | 2.70 | 0.87 |
| Other Crime | 236 | 3.22 | 1.74 | 1,132 | 2.06 | 1.11 | 11,008 | 1.28 | 0.69 |
| Other Theft | 394 | 5.36 | 0.94 | 2,292 | 4.13 | 0.73 | 24,256 | 2.79 | 0.49 |
| Possession of Weapons | 122 | 1.67 | 1.96 | 544 | 0.99 | 1.16 | 4,543 | 0.53 | 0.62 |
| Public Order | 934 | 12.72 | 2.19 | 3,964 | 7.16 | 1.23 | 36,702 | 4.23 | 0.73 |
| Robbery | 41 | 0.56 | 0.52 | 141 | 0.25 | 0.21 | 3,301 | 0.38 | 0.32 |
| Shoplifting | 674 | 9.20 | 1.29 | 2,435 | 4.39 | 0.62 | 27,614 | 3.18 | 0.45 |
| Theft From the Person | 48 | 0.65 | 0.42 | 164 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 1,948 | 0.23 | 0.15 |
| Vehicle Crime | 138 | 1.88 | 0.44 | 749 | 1.36 | 0.32 | 14,353 | 1.67 | 0.39 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 3,643 | 49.60 | 1.63 | 18,201 | 32.83 | 1.08 | 178,380 | 20.58 | 0.68 |
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Total Crime by Year
Carlisle | Cumbria | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 7,721 | 105.19 | 1.46 | 36,558 | 65.98 | 0.92 | 375,914 | 43.36 | 0.60 |
| 2025 | 8,166 | 111.25 | 1.50 | 37,190 | 67.42 | 0.91 | 373,106 | 43.34 | 0.59 |
| 2024 | 7,709 | 106.09 | 1.41 | 35,042 | 63.83 | 0.85 | 380,165 | 44.52 | 0.59 |
| 2023 | 8,454 | 117.82 | 1.49 | 38,476 | 70.64 | 0.89 | 418,544 | 49.63 | 0.63 |
| 2022 | 8,050 | 112.78 | 1.47 | 37,727 | 69.86 | 0.91 | 410,255 | 49.27 | 0.64 |
| 2021 | 6,906 | 97.21 | 1.42 | 31,730 | 59.07 | 0.86 | 363,499 | 44.00 | 0.64 |
| 2020 | 8,437 | 119.00 | 1.61 | 36,929 | 69.13 | 0.93 | 388,434 | 47.29 | 0.64 |
| 2019 | 8,656 | 122.81 | 1.61 | 37,389 | 70.22 | 0.92 | 412,412 | 50.39 | 0.66 |
| 2018 | 7,038 | 100.03 | 1.41 | 29,298 | 55.21 | 0.78 | 361,592 | 44.45 | 0.63 |
| 2017 | 5,810 | 82.72 | 1.30 | 25,761 | 48.73 | 0.76 | 303,042 | 37.41 | 0.59 |
| 2016 | 2,025 | 28.90 | 1.52 | 8,467 | 16.03 | 0.84 | 87,310 | 10.80 | 0.57 |
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Comparing Carlisle to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 24% safer |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 21% safer |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 20% safer |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 7% safer |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 0.52% safer |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 0.13% safer |
| Carlisle | 105.19 | - |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 1.2% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 1.8% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 2.4% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 19% more dangerous |
CrimeRate Pro
To download charts and tables, you must subscribed to CrimeRate Pro
You can find out more, or get a CrimeRate Insights report that includes further analysis.
Offences In and Around Carlisle's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Carlisle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Dyke Orchard | 2 | 8 | 4 | - | 12 | 13 |
| Soccerworld | - | - | 1 | - | - | 6 |
| Garden Life Community Garden | - | 1 | 6 | - | 13 | 10 |
| Blackwell Common | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| Heysham Park | 16 | 3 | 15 | - | 56 | 38 |
| West End Bowling Green | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| St James' Park | - | 1 | - | - | 10 | 1 |
| Creighton RUFC | 4 | - | 2 | - | 4 | 0 |
| Sheepmount | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | 7 | 2 |
| Bitts Park | 23 | 11 | 29 | 2 | 59 | 27 |
| Chance's Park | 6 | 6 | 15 | - | 49 | 27 |
| Keenan Park | 5 | 3 | 7 | - | 15 | 9 |
| Upperby Cemetery | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
Recent Crimes in Carlisle
The 20 most recent crime reports in Carlisle.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Kittiwake Close | |
| April 2026 | Burglary | On or near Holme Terrace | |
| April 2026 | Burglary | On or near Shopping Area | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Bower Street | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Boundary Road | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Bower Street | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Boundary Road | |
| April 2026 | Other crime | On or near Mossrigg | |
| April 2026 | Other crime | On or near St Ninian'S Road | |
| April 2026 | Possession of weapons | On or near Brisco Meadows | |
| April 2026 | Vehicle crime | On or near Riverside Way | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Boundary Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Victoria Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Langdale Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Bower Street | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Abbots Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Lindisfarne Court | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Dale Meadows | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Victoria Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Wood Street |
Methodology & Data Sources
Carlisle 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 Carlisle during July 2026 will typically become available in September 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.
Carlisle Data Points
For Carlisle, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2022 release of their Built Up Areas dataset, using the BUA22CD column value E63000133.
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 Carlisle's daytime - or "workday" - population of 69,038 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 Carlisle