Blackburn Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded a crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 24.4% above the UK average. This figure underscores the higher-than-national risk faced by individuals in the area, particularly in the context of a built-up urban environment. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.3% of all reported incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 30.3%. These two categories combined represent over 60% of all crimes, indicating a significant challenge in managing public safety and community cohesion. The high rate of anti-social behaviour, which is 115% above the UK average, suggests a need for targeted interventions in areas where such incidents are concentrated. August, as a peak holiday month, may contribute to increased tensions and overcrowding in public spaces, potentially exacerbating anti-social behaviour. The presence of violence and sexual offences at a rate 15% above the UK average highlights the need for continued focus on policing strategies that address both immediate incidents and underlying social factors. Shoplifting, while slightly below the UK average, remains a concern for local businesses, particularly in retail hubs. The data also reveals a complex picture of crime trends, with some categories showing marked improvements while others persistently exceed national benchmarks.

August 2024 saw notable increases in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons rose by 36.4%, from 11 to 15 incidents, a figure that is 43% above the UK average. This spike may be linked to heightened tensions during the peak holiday season, though no direct causal link is established. Criminal damage and arson increased by 19.3%, rising from 83 to 99 incidents, which is 29% above the UK average. This could be influenced by the increased presence of empty homes during the summer. Conversely, other crime decreased by 31.6%, from 38 to 26 incidents, and other theft fell by 18.3%, from 71 to 58, both of which are below the UK average. Burglary also decreased by 17.1%, from 35 to 29, though it remains 38% below the UK average. These shifts indicate that while certain areas of the crime profile are improving, others remain areas of concern, particularly in the context of anti-social behaviour and weapon possession. The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, such as those experiencing spikes in criminal damage and arson.

The crime rate in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) decreased by 3.5% from July 2024, falling from 10.6 to 10.2 per 1,000 residents. This minor decline suggests a potential stabilisation in local crime trends, though the area remains significantly above the UK average. On a daily basis, Blackburn recorded approximately 41 crimes per day in August, reflecting the persistent frequency of incidents in a densely populated urban setting. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 98 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure to crime in the region. With a population of 124,917, this figure contextualises the scale of risk for individuals living in Blackburn, showing that while the rate is higher than the UK average, the monthly impact is distributed across the population. The slight drop from July may reflect seasonal shifts, such as the winding down of summer holidays, though the overall crime rate remains a concern for residents. This data highlights the need for continued focus on policing strategies that address both immediate incidents and underlying social factors contributing to the area's elevated crime profile.