More Than 500 Crimes Recorded Across Barrow During May
More than 500 crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded across Barrow-in-Furness during May 2026, according to the latest neighbourhood figures published by Police.uk.
A total of 521 reports were recorded across the four local policing areas covering Barrow Central and Hindpool; Salthouse, Newbarns and Roose; Barrow Island and Walney; and Parkside, Hawcoat and Ormsgill.
Violence and sexual offences were the most commonly recorded category in every part of the town, accounting for a combined 234 reports. Shoplifting, criminal damage and public order offences were also among the most frequently reported crimes.
Crime Reports by Area
The highest number of incidents was recorded in Barrow Central and Hindpool, where police data showed 219 reports during May.
This was followed by:
| Barrow policing area | Reports during May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Barrow Central and Hindpool | 219 |
| Salthouse, Newbarns and Roose | 144 |
| Parkside, Hawcoat and Ormsgill | 83 |
| Barrow Island and Walney | 75 |
| Combined total | 521 |
The figures relate to police neighbourhood boundaries rather than council wards. They include recorded crimes and anti-social behaviour reports attributed to each area during the month.
Barrow Central and Hindpool Recorded 219 Reports
Barrow Central and Hindpool had the highest number of reports during May, rising from 176 in April to 219.
Violence and sexual offences made up the largest category, with 91 reports. This represented just over 41% of all incidents recorded in the area.
The remaining figures included:
- 34 shoplifting offences
- 21 criminal damage and arson offences
- 18 public order offences
- 12 burglaries
- 11 drug offences
- Nine other thefts
- Eight anti-social behaviour reports
- Five possession-of-weapons offences
- Three vehicle crimes
- Two robberies
- Two bicycle thefts
- Two thefts from the person
One further incident was recorded under the “other crime” category.
Town Centre Anti-Social Behaviour Identified as a Priority
Cumbria Police identified anti-social behaviour in Barrow town centre as a local policing priority during May.
Officers said they had been speaking with businesses to better understand the problems affecting the area. Targeted high-visibility patrols were also being carried out across the town centre.
Police said enforcement action had been taken against some premises suspected of supplying products to underage young people, although further details were not released because enquiries remained ongoing.
Salthouse, Newbarns and Roose Recorded 144 Incidents
Police recorded 144 reports across Salthouse, Newbarns and Roose during May, down from 158 in April.
Violence and sexual offences were again the largest category, with 73 reports. There were also 13 public order offences, 11 criminal damage and arson offences and 11 shoplifting reports.
Local officers were also targeting dangerous and anti-social use of off-road bikes and electric bikes.
Cumbria Police said six arrests were made on May 21 in connection with suspected dangerous driving involving off-road bikes. The alleged offences remained under investigation when the neighbourhood update was published.
Vehicle checkpoints and speed checks were also carried out, leading to uninsured or unlicensed vehicles being seized and one person being arrested on suspicion of driving above the permitted drug limit.
Barrow Island and Walney Recorded 75 Reports
A total of 75 incidents were recorded across Barrow Island and Walney during May, compared with 62 during April.
The breakdown included:
- 42 violence and sexual offences
- Nine criminal damage and arson offences
- Eight public order offences
- Four anti-social behaviour reports
- Four drug offences
- Three other crimes
- Two shoplifting offences
- One burglary
- One other theft
- One possession-of-weapons offence
Violence and sexual offences accounted for 56% of all reports within this policing area.
Road safety was also listed as a neighbourhood priority. Police carried out speed enforcement work on Michaelson Road on May 20, while officers continued patrols aimed at gathering information about the unlawful use of off-road bikes.
A man was also arrested on May 1 on suspicion of failing to provide a breath specimen.
Parkside, Hawcoat and Ormsgill Recorded 83 Reports
Parkside, Hawcoat and Ormsgill recorded 83 incidents during May, slightly below the 87 reported in April.
Violence and sexual offences remained the largest category, with 28 reports.
There were also:
- 15 criminal damage and arson offences
- 11 public order offences
- Seven shoplifting offences
- Five burglaries
- Five drug offences
- Four anti-social behaviour reports
- Three other thefts
- Two other crimes
- One bicycle theft
- One possession-of-weapons offence
- One vehicle crime
Almost half of the reports in the area were still under investigation when the Police.uk figures were published.
Violence Was the Largest Category Across Barrow
When the four neighbourhood areas are combined, 234 violence and sexual offences were recorded during May.
This does not mean that every report involved serious physical violence. The broad Police.uk category can include offences ranging from harassment and common assault to more serious violent and sexual crimes.
The public data does not provide enough detail to identify the circumstances or severity of each report.
Across the four neighbourhoods, the available figures also show a combined:
- 56 criminal damage and arson offences
- 54 shoplifting offences
- 50 public order offences
Shoplifting was particularly concentrated in Barrow Central and Hindpool, which includes the town centre and major retail areas.
What the Figures Do and Do Not Show
The Police.uk figures offer a monthly overview of crimes reported to and recorded by Cumbria Police.
They should not be treated as a list of individual incidents. One event can sometimes lead to more than one recorded offence, while the figures do not include crimes that were not reported to the police.
Locations shown on public crime maps are also anonymised. Incidents are placed at nearby streets or landmarks rather than showing the precise address where an offence happened.
Outcomes may change after the figures are published as investigations continue, suspects are identified or cases progress through the courts. Police.uk also warns that not every recorded offence can always be displayed on its public map.
Anyone who witnesses a crime taking place or believes somebody is in immediate danger should call 999. Non-emergency incidents and information can be reported to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101.
