Robberies Rise in Barrow as Knife Crime Increases Across Cumbria
Robbery offences are showing an upward trend in Barrow-in-Furness as new figures reveal a wider increase in knife crime across Cumbria.
A total of 36 robberies were recorded in Barrow during the 12 months ending April 2026, according to figures compiled from official police data.
This gave Barrow a robbery rate of 0.79 offences per 1,000 people—more than three times the wider Cumbria rate of 0.25 per 1,000.
The figures come as Cumbria Police reported a 14.1% increase in crimes involving knives or sharp instruments during the 2025/26 financial year.
Barrow Recorded More Than a Quarter of Cumbria’s Robberies
Cumbria Police recorded 141 robberies across the county during the latest 12-month reporting period.
Of these, 36 were recorded within Barrow-in-Furness. This means the town accounted for just over a quarter of all robberies recorded across Cumbria.
Barrow’s robbery rate was also more than double the North West rate of 0.38 offences per 1,000 people.
Although robbery remains much less common than offences such as violence, public order incidents and criminal damage, recent data indicates that it is becoming a growing local concern.
What Is Classed as Robbery?
Robbery is different from burglary or general theft.
An offence is normally recorded as robbery when someone steals, or attempts to steal, while using force or threatening the immediate use of force.
This can include incidents where a person is assaulted or threatened while having cash, a phone, jewellery or another possession taken from them.
Robbery figures do not automatically show whether a knife or another weapon was involved. Knife crime is recorded separately and can include assaults, robberies, threats and possession offences.
Barrow Ranked Worst in Cumbria During Two Recent Months
Barrow recorded the highest robbery rate in Cumbria during February 2026, when five offences were reported.
The town was also ranked as the county’s worst location for robbery in October 2025, when six offences were recorded.
The numbers remain relatively small, meaning a rise of only a few incidents can create a significant percentage change. However, the repeated monthly increases and wider upward trend remain notable.
Robbery Trend Has Increased Over Three Years
Analysis of police-recorded crime indicates that robbery in Barrow has followed an upward trend over the past three years.
The data suggests the town’s robbery risk has increased by around 9% across that period.
Barrow’s overall crime risk score has also risen by approximately 2.6% over the most recent year. However, analysts warn that short-term crime trends should be treated carefully, as individual incidents and changes in reporting can affect the results.
Knife Crime Up 14.1% Across Cumbria
The Barrow robbery figures have emerged alongside separate concerns about knife crime across the county.
During Cumbria Police’s annual Public Accountability Conference, it was reported that knife crime had increased by 14.1% during the 2025/26 financial year.
There were 22 more offences identified as involving a knife or sharp instrument than during the previous year.
Based on that increase, the number of recorded knife crimes rose from approximately 156 to 178 across Cumbria.
Knife crime can cover a wide range of offences. It does not only include stabbings and serious assaults.
The category can also include:
- Robbery involving a knife
- Threatening someone with a blade
- Possessing a knife in public
- Assault involving a sharp instrument
- Threats to kill involving a knife
The countywide figures do not show how many of the offences happened specifically in Barrow.
Weapons Offences Remain High in Barrow
Separate police data shows that 95 possession-of-weapons offences were recorded in Barrow during the 12 months ending April 2026.
This equated to 2.09 reports for every 1,000 people.
Barrow’s rate was approximately two-and-a-half times the national average, making possession of weapons one of the offence categories where the town compared most poorly with other areas.
However, the wider weapons category can include different items and does not relate solely to knives.
Violence Remains the Most Common Crime
Despite the increase in robbery, violence and sexual offences remained by far the most commonly recorded crime category in Barrow.
Police recorded 2,596 such offences during the 12 months ending April 2026. This represented a rate of almost 57 offences per 1,000 people.
The number was 1.1% higher than the 2,569 offences recorded during the previous reporting period.
Public order offences, criminal damage and shoplifting were also recorded much more frequently than robbery.
Figures Do Not Mean Every Incident Happened in the Town Centre
The figures cover the wider Barrow-in-Furness built-up area and should not be treated as a count of incidents within the town centre alone.
Public crime data also uses anonymised locations. Recorded incidents are normally placed near the centre of a street or close to a nearby landmark rather than at the precise location where they happened.
The figures may also be affected by reporting levels, police activity and changes in how offences are recorded.
Police-recorded crime data is released with a delay, meaning the most recent complete local figures currently cover the 12 months ending April 2026.
Police Continuing Targeted Patrols
Cumbria Police has said it will continue additional patrols in areas where crime and anti-social behaviour are known to be a concern.
Government funding previously used to support Operation Enhance ended for the 2026/27 financial year. However, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen said local funding would continue to support targeted patrols.
The operation was credited with helping reduce reported anti-social behaviour by 38% across Westmorland and Furness during the previous year.
Anyone who sees someone carrying a weapon or believes a crime is taking place should call 999. Non-emergency information can be reported to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101.
