This North Yorkshire area has highest relative crime rate

​The Scarborough and Whitby area has the highest relative rate of crime in North Yorkshire, with 87.56 crimes recorded for every 1,000 people in 2025-26, up from 82.44 the previous year.

​The relative crime rate is 38.66 in Ryedale, 69.36 in York, 46.63 in Harrogate, 34.07 in Richmondshire, and 44.70 in Selby.

​Overall recorded crime increased by 8 per cent from 8,267 in 2024-25 to 8,910 in 2025-26.

​In 2024-25, the Scarborough and Whitby area saw a reduction in recorded crime across most categories, with some exceptions, such as shoplifting and possession of weapons, while it still had the highest relative rates of crime in the county.

​There was a 19 per cent increase in thefts, while fraud fell by 39 per cent and vehicle offences fell by 14 per cent, according to a recently published report.

​North Yorkshire Police said that shoplifting continues to place “significant pressure on local services, rising 27 per cent from 957 to 1,259 offences this year”.

​“The command’s shoplifting positive outcome rate was 72.77 per cent, supported by 209 arrests and 30 voluntary attendance interviews.”

​Over the next 12 months, North Yorkshire Police said that its Operation Sun, which runs from July–September 2026, will involve with 12 multi-agency deployments a month targeting anti-social behaviour, retail crime, street crime, night-time economy issues, and violence against women and girls.

​There are also 40 planned deployments linked to Open Air Theatre events to reduce alcohol-related disorder and anti-social behaviour, alongside stronger community engagement through initiatives such as a Beat Bus and improved links with seldom-heard communities to build trust and improve the flow of information.