Crime and Safety in Formby
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Formby is among the top 5 safest small towns in Merseyside, and is among the top 20 safest overall out of Merseyside's 39 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Formby in 2026 is 42 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares favourably to Merseyside's overall crime rate, coming in 51% lower than the Merseyside rate of 85 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Formby is the 231st safest small town, and the 4,026th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In July 2016, Formby had the worst crime rate in Merseyside for robbery, with 4 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.18 per 1,000 daytime population. And in February 2026, Formby was the worst small town in Merseyside for criminal damage and arson, with 12 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.54 per 1,000 daytime population. March 2026 was also a bad month for Formby residents, when it was Merseyside's most dangerous small town for robbery, recording 5 crimes at a rate of 0.22 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Formby are violence and sexual offences, with 405 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 18. This is 7% lower than 2025's figure of 435 offences and a difference of 1.36 from 2025's crime rate of 20. Formby's least common crime is theft from the person, with 2 offences recorded in 2026, the same as 2025's figure of 2 crimes.
Formby 2026 Crime Scorecard
Top 5 Safest
Small Towns, Merseyside
3.8% lower, regional crime rate
North West
42% lower, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Formby is 3.8% lower than the North West and 42% lower than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Formby Crime Rate Over Time
| Formby | |
| North West | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Formby Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Formby 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 Formby Compares
You can compare Formby'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 Formby's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Formby up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Formby's 627 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 Formby? 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
Formby • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Formby has a crime risk score of 394. This is based on analysis of 627 nearby areas within Formby, 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 Formby's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Formby, crime risk scores are typically around 394, while in Merseyside they are average 565.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 424 (599 for Merseyside), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 426 (Merseyside 607).
Trends in Crime Risk
Formby
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.
The 10-year trend indicates an increase of 3.0% in Formby's crime risk score. This is potentially a strong signal of how the crime risk is evolving. Cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
Looking at the previous five years, the trend in Formby's crime risk score is down by 12%. While potentially a good indicator of the overall risk trend, analysis may offer further insight when combined with the checks mentioned above.
Over the last year, Formby's crime risk score has shown a downward trend of approximately 16%, 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
Formby
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
Formby • 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.
Robbery offences have a crime rate of 0.86 reports per 1,000 people in Formby, which is 0.98 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 20 crime reports logged by Merseyside Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Merseyside Police recorded 131 reports of Shoplifting in Formby, resulting in a crime rate of 5.87 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 0.82.
The crime rate for Possession of Weapons is 0.79 times the national average at 0.38 reports per 1,000. This is from 9 crime reports reported to Merseyside Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Formby
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.
Shoplifting offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.02 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Shoplifting CrimeRate Index was 0.36 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 183% over this timeframe.
Robbery offences are trending upwards, though the CrimeRate Index three years ago is too low to measure, and the trend should be reviewed with caution.
Burglary offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.92 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 0.13 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 608% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Formby
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Possession of Weapons offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.29 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Possession of Weapons CrimeRate Index was 0.57 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 126% over this timeframe.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.57 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Criminal Damage and Arson CrimeRate Index was 1.41 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 60% over this timeframe.
Violence and Sexual Offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.55 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Violence and Sexual Offences CrimeRate Index was 0.79 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 30% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Formby • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Formby | Merseyside | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 158 | 7.08 | 0.50 | 14,742 | 9.07 | 0.64 | 68,604 | 7.93 | 0.56 |
| Bicycle Theft | 8 | 0.34 | 1.00 | 1,158 | 0.69 | 0.95 | 2,963 | 0.35 | 0.48 |
| Burglary | 36 | 1.59 | 0.61 | 3,957 | 2.45 | 0.78 | 13,151 | 1.50 | 0.48 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 80 | 3.56 | 0.57 | 12,556 | 7.72 | 1.23 | 34,232 | 3.94 | 0.63 |
| Drugs | 47 | 2.08 | 0.67 | 13,621 | 8.37 | 2.71 | 23,463 | 2.70 | 0.87 |
| Other Crime | 20 | 0.88 | 0.58 | 3,703 | 2.28 | 1.23 | 11,008 | 1.28 | 0.69 |
| Other Theft | 58 | 2.56 | 0.45 | 8,073 | 4.97 | 0.87 | 24,256 | 2.79 | 0.49 |
| Possession of Weapons | 9 | 0.38 | 0.79 | 1,415 | 0.87 | 1.02 | 4,543 | 0.53 | 0.62 |
| Public Order | 99 | 4.42 | 0.76 | 15,065 | 9.28 | 1.60 | 36,702 | 4.23 | 0.73 |
| Robbery | 20 | 0.86 | 0.98 | 1,488 | 0.92 | 0.78 | 3,301 | 0.38 | 0.32 |
| Shoplifting | 131 | 5.87 | 0.82 | 10,571 | 6.51 | 0.91 | 27,614 | 3.18 | 0.45 |
| Theft From the Person | 2 | 0.08 | 0.29 | 846 | 0.52 | 0.34 | 1,948 | 0.23 | 0.15 |
| Vehicle Crime | 22 | 0.96 | 0.34 | 5,106 | 3.13 | 0.73 | 14,353 | 1.67 | 0.39 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 405 | 18.14 | 0.60 | 60,389 | 37.15 | 1.22 | 178,380 | 20.58 | 0.68 |
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Total Crime by Year
Formby | Merseyside | North West | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 937 | 41.72 | 0.62 | 137,948 | 84.86 | 1.18 | 375,914 | 43.36 | 0.60 |
| 2025 | 889 | 39.67 | 0.57 | 134,669 | 83.12 | 1.12 | 373,106 | 43.34 | 0.59 |
| 2024 | 980 | 43.67 | 0.61 | 143,136 | 89.04 | 1.18 | 380,165 | 44.52 | 0.59 |
| 2023 | 1,072 | 47.70 | 0.64 | 167,521 | 105.45 | 1.33 | 418,544 | 49.63 | 0.63 |
| 2022 | 1,034 | 46.16 | 0.63 | 167,243 | 106.55 | 1.39 | 410,255 | 49.27 | 0.64 |
| 2021 | 831 | 37.51 | 0.57 | 131,617 | 84.36 | 1.23 | 363,499 | 44.00 | 0.64 |
| 2020 | 846 | 38.00 | 0.53 | 133,992 | 86.00 | 1.16 | 388,434 | 47.29 | 0.64 |
| 2019 | 848 | 37.72 | 0.52 | 134,221 | 86.18 | 1.13 | 412,412 | 50.39 | 0.66 |
| 2018 | 849 | 37.75 | 0.56 | 125,895 | 81.10 | 1.14 | 361,592 | 44.45 | 0.63 |
| 2017 | 837 | 37.05 | 0.61 | 110,860 | 71.66 | 1.12 | 303,042 | 37.41 | 0.59 |
| 2016 | 252 | 11.16 | 0.62 | 32,317 | 20.91 | 1.10 | 87,310 | 10.80 | 0.57 |
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Formby Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescot | 1,773 | 114.65 | 175% more dangerous |
| Litherland | 1,691 | 90.18 | 116% more dangerous |
| Whiston | 1,221 | 87.11 | 109% more dangerous |
| Knowsley | 1,062 | 76.77 | 84% more dangerous |
| Newton-le-Willows | 1,913 | 72.37 | 73% more dangerous |
| Haydock | 1,064 | 63.92 | 53% more dangerous |
| Halewood | 1,327 | 61.26 | 47% more dangerous |
| Hoylake | 274 | 50.21 | 20% more dangerous |
| Rainhill | 454 | 40.57 | 2.8% safer |
| Formby | 937 | 41.72 | - |
| Maghull | 931 | 41.98 | 0.62% more dangerous |
| West Kirby | 463 | 35.02 | 16% safer |
| Rainford | 274 | 31.25 | 25% safer |
| Eccleston | 309 | 29.07 | 30% safer |
| Greasby | 201 | 22.16 | 47% safer |
Comparing Formby to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Formby | 41.72 | - |
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 91% more dangerous |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 98% more dangerous |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 102% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 135% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 151% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 152% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 155% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 157% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 158% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 200% 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 Formby's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Formby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holm Wood | 3 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 |
| King George V Playing Field | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
Recent Crimes in Formby
The 20 most recent crime reports in Formby.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Cedar Drive | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Cambridge Road | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Marsh Brows | |
| April 2026 | Burglary | On or near Pasture Lane | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Petrol Station | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Petrol Station | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near The Pinewoods | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Supermarket | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Kings Close | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Cross Green | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Smithy Green | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near St George'S Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Bill'S Lane | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Coppice Leys | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Three Tuns Lane | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Church Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Mount House Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Watchyard Lane |
Methodology & Data Sources
Formby 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 Formby 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.
Formby Data Points
For Formby, 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 E04000038.
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 Formby's daytime - or "workday" - population of 19,369 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 Formby