A sprawling county situated in the north-central region of England, South Yorkshire comprises the boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham, as well as the city of Sheffield. It was once famous for its thriving iron, steel, and mining industries, although these have since declined and been replaced by companies focused on light manufacturing, food processing, and the like.
Many are drawn to South Yorkshire due to its incredibly diverse geography. Not only does it have the high Pennine moorlands but it also boasts the Rivers Don and Dearne, and the marshes of Hatfield and Humberhead. The latter two, though, have already been drained.
If you’re planning to visit South Yorkshire or even relocate there, then you’re probably wondering just how safe it is. Well, here’s an in-depth guide to South Yorkshire crime.
South Yorkshire Crime Statistics
The overall crime rate in South Yorkshire in 2020 was 90 crimes per 1,000 people, making it one of the top five most dangerous counties in England, Wales, and North Ireland. A total of 31.8% or 52,400 of the total crimes committed between August 2020 and July 2021 involved violence, although drug-related offenses were also on the rise, having risen 22.2% over the same period.
Based on data gathered by CrimeRate UK, here’s a summary of the crimes that took place in South Yorkshire in 2020:
| Crime | Count | Rate |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 48,403 | 34.35 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 34,858 | 24.74 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 14,691 | 10.43 |
| Public Order | 14,283 | 10.14 |
| Vehicle Crime | 10,185 | 7.23 |
| Burglary | 10,031 | 7.12 |
| Other Theft | 9,080 | 6.44 |
| Shoplifting | 6,687 | 4.75 |
| Other Crime | 4,318 | 3.06 |
| Drugs | 3,999 | 2.84 |
| Possession of Weapons | 1,539 | 1.09 |
| Robbery | 1,319 | 0.94 |
| Bicycle Theft | 886 | 0.63 |
| Theft From the Person | 843 | 0.60 |
In South Yorkshire, the city of Sheffield experienced the most crime in 2020, with a total of 47,380 police reports filed. Meanwhile, the villages of Bradfield and Brinsworth experienced the least crime in 2020, with a total of 32 police reports filed in each.
Is South Yorkshire Safe?
Unfortunately, a recent study conducted by property firm Good Move found that South Yorkshire is considered one of the riskiest places in the United Kingdom. It ranked tenth, below the county of Gwent and the city of Durham.
The boroughs of Doncaster and Barnsley are considered the most dangerous places in South Yorkshire. Meanwhile, the borough of Rotherham and the city of Sheffield are regarded as the safest.
Doncaster Crime Rate
The town of Doncaster is considered among the top 20 most dangerous places in South Yorkshire. It’s also the 222nd most dangerous location in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In 2020, its overall crime rate was 128 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 30% higher than the county’s overall rate of 90 per 1,000 residents.
Based on data gathered by CrimeRate UK, here’s a summary of the crimes that took place in Doncaster in 2020:
| Crime | Count | Rate |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 5,501 | 47.08 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 3,453 | 29.55 |
| Public Order | 1,713 | 14.66 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 1,551 | 13.28 |
| Burglary | 1,331 | 11.39 |
| Other Theft | 1,088 | 9.31 |
| Vehicle Crime | 1,042 | 8.92 |
| Shoplifting | 974 | 8.34 |
| Other Crime | 544 | 4.66 |
| Drugs | 511 | 4.37 |
| Possession of Weapons | 203 | 1.74 |
| Robbery | 171 | 1.46 |
| Theft From the Person | 165 | 1.41 |
| Bicycle Theft | 152 | 1.30 |
A total of 5,501 violence and sexual offenses were committed in Doncaster during 2020, which is 10% higher than the 2019 figure of 4,942. On the other hand, the least common crime in Doncaster is bicycle theft, with 152 police reports filed in 2020. This is 7% lower than the 2019 figure of 162.
Edlington Doncaster Crime Rate
In 2020, the overall crime rate in Edlington was 68 crimes per 1,000 people, making it one of the top ten safest small towns in South Yorkshire. This is 31% lower than the county’s overall rate of 90 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Based on data gathered by CrimeRate UK, here’s a summary of the crimes that took place in Edlington in 2020:
| Crime | Count | Rate |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 190 | 23.51 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 148 | 18.31 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 93 | 11.51 |
| Public Order | 58 | 7.18 |
| Burglary | 46 | 5.69 |
| Shoplifting | 40 | 4.95 |
| Vehicle Crime | 40 | 4.95 |
| Other Theft | 36 | 4.45 |
| Other Crime | 19 | 2.35 |
| Drugs | 12 | 1.48 |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.99 |
| Possession of Weapons | 5 | 0.62 |
| Theft From the Person | 2 | 0.25 |
| Bicycle Theft | 2 | 0.25 |
A total of 190 violence and sexual offenses were committed in Edlington in 2020, which is 30% lower than the 2019 figure of 247.
On the other hand, the least common crime in Edlington in 2020 was bicycle theft, with only two reports filed. This was a 50% decrease from the 2019 figure of three.
Stainforth Doncaster Crime Rate
According to the latest police statistics, a total of 148 street-level criminal offenses took place in the town of Stainforth in July 2021. Here’s a summary of the other crimes that occurred during that month:
| Crime Category | Incidents |
| Violent Crime | 58 |
| Criminal Damage Arson | 22 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 14 |
| Burglary | 12 |
| Other Theft | 12 |
| Vehicle Crime | 9 |
| Other Crime | 8 |
| Drugs | 4 |
| Public Order | 4 |
| Shoplifting | 3 |
| Bicycle Theft | 1 |
| Theft From the Person | 1 |
| Total | 148 |
Included in the police data are crime incidents that took place in areas near Stainforth. Far Banks, which is located approximately 1.24 miles away, had a total of 74 criminal offenses reported in July 2021.
On the other hand, Fosterhouses, which is found 1.96 miles away, had the least, with zero crimes reported during that same month.
Hyde Park Doncaster Crime Rate
According to the latest police statistics, a total of 155 street-level criminal offenses took place in Hyde Park Industrial Estate in July 2021. Here’s a summary of the other crimes that occurred during that month:
| Crime Category | Incidents |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 37 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 24 |
| Public Order | 24 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 15 |
| Other Theft | 10 |
| Other Crime | 9 |
| Burglary | 8 |
| Drugs | 8 |
| Vehicle Crime | 6 |
| Shoplifting | 4 |
| Possession of Weapons | 3 |
| Robbery | 3 |
| Bicycle Theft | 3 |
| Theft From the Person | 1 |
| Total | 155 |
Other than this, no additional information regarding crime statistics in Hyde Pak Industrial Estate was made available to the public.
Rotherham Crime Rate
In 2020, the crime rate in Rotherham was 91 crimes per 1,000 people. While this compares poorly to the county’s overall crime rate, it still makes it the safest major town in South Yorkshire, given the high number of criminal offenses that took place in other places.
Based on data gathered by CrimeRate UK, here’s a summary of the crimes that took place in Rotherham in 2020:
| Crime | Count | Rate |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 4,158 | 37.30 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 2,886 | 25.89 |
| Public Order | 1,316 | 11.80 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 1,069 | 9.59 |
| Other Theft | 747 | 6.70 |
| Burglary | 700 | 6.28 |
| Vehicle Crime | 637 | 5.71 |
| Shoplifting | 483 | 4.33 |
| Other Crime | 324 | 2.91 |
| Drugs | 316 | 2.83 |
| Possession of Weapons | 141 | 1.26 |
| Robbery | 130 | 1.17 |
| Theft From the Person | 61 | 0.55 |
| Bicycle Theft | 50 | 0.45 |
A total of 4,158 violence and sexual offenses were committed in Rotherham in 2020, giving a crime rate of 37. This is 3.6% higher than the 2019 figure of 4,008.
On the other hand, bicycle theft is Rotherham’s least common crime, with a total of 50 police reports filed in 2020. This is 20% lower than the 2019 figure of 60.
Barnsley Crime Rate
In 2020, the crime rate in Barnsley was 103 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 13% higher than the county’s overall crime rate. This makes it the second most dangerous major town in South Yorkshire.
Based on data gathered by CrimeRate UK, here’s a summary of the crimes that took place in Barnsley in 2020:
| Crime | Count | Rate |
| Violence and Sexual Offenses | 4,241 | 42.87 |
| Anti-Social Behavior | 2,333 | 23.58 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 1,227 | 12.40 |
| Public Order | 1,196 | 12.09 |
| Other Theft | 795 | 8.04 |
| Burglary | 646 | 6.53 |
| Vehicle Crime | 506 | 5.12 |
| Shoplifting | 483 | 4.88 |
| Drugs | 423 | 4.28 |
| Other Crime | 388 | 3.92 |
| Possession of Weapons | 108 | 1.09 |
| Robbery | 102 | 1.03 |
| Theft From the Person | 65 | 0.66 |
| Bicycle Theft | 37 | 0.37 |
A total of 4,241 violence and sexual offenses were committed in Barnsley in 2020, giving a crime rate of 43. This is 9% higher than the 2019 figure of 3,855.
On the other hand, the least common crime in Barnsley is bicycle theft, with 37 police reports filed in 2020. This is a 35% decrease from the 2019 figure of 50.
Is Barnsley Safe?
Unfortunately, Barnsley’s overall crime rate of 103 crimes per 1,000 people makes it the second most dangerous major town in South Yorkshire.
However, crime is reportedly limited to a few neighborhoods, such as Kendray. Many bars and nightclubs are found there, which is why it’s largely considered to be a hotbed for anti-social behavior and other criminal activity.
Check out our other articles to see whether the crime rate in the North of Yorkshire has increased and to see what the crime is like in the West of Yorkshire. Or head over to our news page so that you can keep up to date with all the latest Yorkshire news.
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