Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)

Blackburn, within the Blackburn with Darwen authority, reports an overall crime rate of 124.1 per 1,000 residents annually, accompanied by a safety score of 72 out of 100. For comparison, the UK average crime rate stands at 93.4 per 1,000, with an average safety score of 78. This indicates that Blackburn experiences a higher crime rate and a slightly lower safety score than the national average. The latest data reveals a stable trend in crime, with a 2.0% increase year-over-year. This overview provides a foundation for delving deeper into Blackburn's specific crime challenges and safety considerations.

Crime Type Analysis

In Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), the three most significant crime types are Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences constitute the largest proportion, accounting for 32.9% of all crimes with 5,098 incidents, or 40.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, representing 28.9% of reported crimes with 4,483 incidents (35.9 per 1,000). Shoplifting completes the top three, making up 6.6% of crimes, with 1,025 incidents (8.2 per 1,000).

When examining property-related crime, Blackburn records a rate of 34.2 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly above the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes burglary (2.9 per 1,000), vehicle crime (6.9 per 1,000), other theft (6.4 per 1,000), shoplifting (8.2 per 1,000), robbery (1.1 per 1,000), theft from the person (0.5 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.4 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson (7.9 per 1,000). The elevated property crime rate, particularly with shoplifting as a top concern, suggests that both residents and businesses in Blackburn should consider robust security measures to safeguard their assets and premises.

Crime Trends in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)

Blackburn has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a 2.0% increase in overall crime rates year-over-year. Monthly data reveals a consistent pattern of fluctuation. Lower crime rates per 1,000 residents were observed in December 2024 (8.8), January 2025 (9.3), February 2025 (9.3), and September 2025 (9.6), indicating a potential decrease in activity during specific periods. Conversely, higher crime rates were recorded in October 2024 (10.9), March 2025 (10.7), May 2025 (11.4), July 2025 (11.4), and August 2025 (11.4). This suggests that crime tends to be more prevalent during the spring and summer months, a seasonal trend often seen across the UK. For residents, this stable yet slightly increasing trend highlights the ongoing importance of being aware of local crime patterns.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns

Crime patterns in Blackburn vary significantly throughout the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft accounts for 41% of crimes, closely followed by vehicle crime at 22%. This suggests that as residents begin their day and commercial areas open, opportunities for these types of offences increase. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees theft rise to 48% of crimes, indicating a peak during busy shopping and activity hours, with burglary also present at 15%. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the landscape shifts, with 'other' crime types becoming dominant at 49%, and vehicle crime remaining significant at 22%. This could reflect increased social activity and reduced visibility. Finally, during the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the most prevalent at 50%, alongside 'other' crime types at 28% and burglary at 13%, suggesting that unattended vehicles and properties are targeted during these quieter hours.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

Understanding Blackburn's crime landscape benefits from comparison with its neighbouring communities, including Rishton, Osbaldeston, Oswaldtwistle, and Darwen. While each area possesses its own unique characteristics, Blackburn, as a larger urban centre, often faces different crime challenges compared to smaller, more residential areas like Rishton or Osbaldeston. Darwen, another significant town within the wider local authority, may share some similarities in crime patterns due to its urban nature, but could also present distinct differences based on local demographics and activities. This comparison provides valuable regional context for residents, offering a broader perspective on how safety and crime rates in Blackburn compare within its immediate vicinity.

Protecting Your Property in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)

With Blackburn's property crime rate of 34.2 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly above the UK average, prioritising effective home security is essential. Relying solely on traditional security cameras or DIY systems often means you only get footage or an alert after a break-in has occurred, providing a reactive record of the event rather than preventing it.

For those seeking advanced protection, scOS offers a proactive solution. This AI-powered home security operating system is designed to prevent crime before it takes place by detecting threats at your property boundary. Unlike systems that simply record, scOS leverages multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage. It can even verify vehicles through DVLA data to instantly identify suspicious activity. By learning your family's routines, scOS intelligently distinguishes between genuine threats and everyday occurrences, only alerting you when necessary. Its autonomous response capabilities, which include activating lights and engaging speakers, destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often causing them to abandon their intentions within moments. Investing in professional-grade security like scOS provides a significant deterrent, transforming your property into a less appealing target and offering true peace of mind.