Leeston
Safety Score (12-month average)
88
–
Crime rate
9.3 per 1,000
Population 2,253
Total crimes (past 12 months)
21
Trend (last 3 months)
▲ 60.0%
vs previous 3-month period
Regional rank
#275 / 331
Bottom 17%
Safety Score (NZCHI)
Police data to August 2026Leeston Overview
Most common offences by count were assault (33.3%), burglary (33.3%), and theft (23.8%). Percentages show share of offence counts in the selected time frame.
Crime Summary
The annual total crime rate in Leeston is 9.3209 crimes per thousand residents, placing it at rank 275 within Canterbury Region. The overall crime trend in the area has increased in recent months with criminal activity peaking in Feb 2026, May 2026, Jul 2026.
Explore crime in nearby locations
Crime activity peaked in February, May, and July 2026.
Leeston crime statistics: common questions
Is Leeston safe?
Leeston recorded 21 offences in the last 12 months, a rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents across about 2,253 residents. These are offences recorded by New Zealand Police, which reflect what was reported and recorded rather than all crime that occurred.
What is the crime rate in Leeston?
The crime rate in Leeston is 9.3 offences per 1,000 residents over the last 12 months, from 21 recorded offences across about 2,253 residents. A rate counts offences against a suburb's resident population, so town centres and commercial areas can show high rates because offences there involve people who do not live there.
What is the most common crime in Leeston?
The most common offence category in Leeston is assault, with 7 recorded offences in the last 12 months — about 33% of all offences recorded there. The next most common is burglary (7).
Is crime going up or down in Leeston?
Recorded offences in Leeston have risen 60.0% over the most recent three-month period compared with the previous three months. This is a three-month comparison, not a year-on-year one, and short windows move around a lot in small areas.
How does Leeston compare with other suburbs in Canterbury Region?
Leeston ranks 275 of 331 suburbs in Canterbury Region by crime rate, where 1 is the highest rate. This is a ranking of recorded crime, not a safety rating, and it compares Leeston only with other suburbs in Canterbury Region — not with the rest of New Zealand.
Where does the crime data for Leeston come from?
Figures for Leeston, Selwyn District come from New Zealand Police recorded victimisation data, published through police.govt.nz, and are grouped to Stats NZ Statistical Area 2 (SA2) boundaries. They count offences recorded by Police, so they reflect reporting and recording practice as well as underlying offending.
Looking for a plain-English safety summary?
👉 See how safe Leeston is on SafeSuburbs.co.nz