Blackburn Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 124,917, Blackburn recorded 1,329 crimes in September 2024, translating to a crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 37.7% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, indicating a significant divergence from national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (32.6% of total), anti-social behaviour (26.3%), and shoplifting (8.4%), with each category far exceeding UK averages. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.5 per 1,000, were 34% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour—3.5 times higher than the national rate—highlighted persistent issues in public spaces. The seasonal context of September, with the return of students and the onset of colder weather, may have influenced these patterns. Anti-social behaviour often spikes in areas with high youth populations, such as Blackburn's town centre, where social gatherings and late-night activity are common. Similarly, shoplifting may have increased due to the proximity of retail outlets to educational institutions. While the overall crime rate remains elevated, the breakdown reveals uneven distribution, with property crimes (including shoplifting and vehicle crime) accounting for 23.4% of total incidents, compared to 32.6% for violent crimes. This balance suggests a combination of community dynamics and local infrastructure, with no single factor explaining the full picture.

September saw a 100% increase in bicycle theft, rising from zero to five incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This spike may be linked to the start of the academic year, with students returning to campus and local shops. Meanwhile, 'other crime' rose by 76.9%, with 46 incidents reported, significantly exceeding the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This category's sharp increase suggests potential gaps in policing or unaddressed local issues. Shoplifting also climbed by 25.8%, from 89 to 112 cases, outpacing the UK rate by 32%. However, some categories showed declines: possession of weapons dropped by 40%, from 15 to 9, possibly due to increased police presence or seasonal factors. Theft from the person also fell by 40%, from five to three, though this remains below the UK average. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in Blackburn, with certain categories responding to local conditions or interventions.

Blackburn's crime rate in September 2024 rose to 10.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous month's 10.2. This translates to approximately 44 crimes reported daily, reflecting a persistent demand on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 94 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents in a built-up area with a population of 124,917. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, the monthly exposure metric provides a local context: residents face a crime risk that is both statistically significant and consistent with the area's historical profile. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Blackburn's crime burden is higher than the national average, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and violence, which together account for over half of all reported crimes. This suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-traffic areas or during periods of increased social activity.