Blackburn Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2024, Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded a crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.3% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This marks the area’s highest recorded rate in recent months, with a pronounced balance between property and violent crime. Of the 1,229 total crimes reported, 383 (31.2%) were classified as violence and sexual offences, while 390 (31.6%) fell under property-related categories. This near-equal split between property and violent crimes contrasts with typical patterns in similar built-up areas, where property crimes often dominate. The seasonal context of April—characterised by Easter, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—may partly explain the rise in anti-social behaviour (324 cases, 26.4% of total crimes), which is 113% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, often linked to social cohesion challenges in densely populated areas, remains a persistent issue. Shoplifting (94 cases, 7.7% of total) and criminal damage (90 cases, 7.3%) also feature prominently, both exceeding UK averages by 19%. These figures suggest that while violent crime remains a concern, property-related offences are equally significant, reflecting a combination of social and economic factors. The town’s built-up nature, with a mix of residential and commercial zones, may contribute to this balance, as does its proximity to major transport routes, which can drive both anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

April 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with property-related offences nearly matching violent crimes for the first time this year. The most significant month-on-month increases included burglary, which rose by 48.7% (39 to 58 cases), and bicycle theft, which doubled from one to two incidents. These spikes may be linked to the Easter holiday period, when increased foot traffic in retail areas could have created opportunities for theft. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 12.8% (from 439 to 383), a drop that may reflect seasonal patterns or the impact of targeted policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour remained a major concern, with 324 cases (26.4% of total crimes), 113% above the UK average. This category’s dominance—exceeding the next most common crime type (shoplifting) by nearly 19 percentage points—highlights the need for community-focused interventions. Burglary’s 56% above UK average rate (0.5 per 1,000) further underscores vulnerabilities in residential areas, tied to the town’s mix of older housing stock and newer developments. For residents, the 48.7% increase in burglary is a tangible reminder to secure homes during the Easter holiday period.

The crime rate in Blackburn rose by 2.2% month-on-month, from 9.6 to 9.8 per 1,000 residents in April 2024. This increase, though modest, places the area’s rate firmly above the UK average. On a daily basis, Blackburn experienced approximately 41 crimes per day in April, a figure that, while localised, offers a concrete sense of the pace of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 102 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is higher than the UK average but reflects the area’s demographic profile. With a population of 124,917, Blackburn’s crime rate is influenced by its built-up character and the concentration of social services in certain areas. The town’s crime profile also reveals stark contrasts: while anti-social behaviour and burglary rates are significantly above the UK average, theft from the person (0.4% of total crimes) is 100% below the national benchmark. This discrepancy may indicate effective policing in high-traffic areas, such as the town centre, where theft from individuals is less common. The comparison to the UK average highlights both challenges and potential areas for targeted improvement, particularly in reducing anti-social behaviour and burglary rates.