New figures reveal that the Scarborough and Whitby area has the highest relative crime rate in North Yorkshire, prompting targeted police operations to tackle retail offences and anti-social behaviour.
A popular stretch of the Yorkshire Coast has recorded the highest relative crime rate in the county, according to newly released figures from North Yorkshire Police.
The Scarborough and Whitby area currently has the highest relative rate of crime in North Yorkshire. The latest data reveals that 87.56 crimes were recorded for every 1,000 people in the 2025 to 2026 period. This represents an increase from the 82.44 crimes per 1,000 people recorded during the previous year.
When compared to other districts across the region, the coastal area's figures are significantly higher. The relative crime rate sits at 38.66 in Ryedale, 69.36 in York, 46.63 in Harrogate, 34.07 in Richmondshire, and 44.70 in Selby.
Overall recorded crime in the Scarborough and Whitby area increased by eight per cent over the last twelve months. The total number of incidents rose from 8,267 in 2024 to 2025, up to 8,910 in 2025 to 2026.
During the 2024 to 2025 period, the Scarborough and Whitby area had actually seen a reduction in recorded crime across most categories. However, there were notable exceptions at the time, such as shoplifting and the possession of weapons, which meant the district still held the highest relative rates of crime in the county.
A recently published report outlines the shifting trends in local criminal activity. The figures show a 19 per cent increase in thefts, while fraud has fallen by 39 per cent and vehicle offences have dropped by 14 per cent.
North Yorkshire Police stated that shoplifting continues to place significant pressure on local services, with offences rising by 27 per cent from 957 to 1,259 this year.
Detailing their response to retail crime, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
"The command’s shoplifting positive outcome rate was 72.77 per cent, supported by 209 arrests and 30 voluntary attendance interviews."
Over the next twelve months, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed its strategy to combat these issues. Operation Sun, which runs from July to September 2026, will involve twelve multi-agency deployments a month. These deployments will specifically target anti-social behaviour, retail crime, street crime, night-time economy issues, and violence against women and girls.
In addition to this summer operation, there are 40 planned deployments linked to Open Air Theatre events. These operations are designed to reduce alcohol-related disorder and anti-social behaviour as large crowds gather on the coast.
This enforcement action will run alongside stronger community engagement across the Scarborough and Whitby area. New initiatives include a Beat Bus and improved links with seldom-heard communities, which the force hopes will build trust and improve the flow of information.
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