Blackburn Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Blackburn with Darwen's crime rate in December 2025 was 8.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.1% above the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This figure positions Blackburn as a town with a higher crime profile than the national benchmark, a distinction that warrants closer examination of local factors. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.8% of all incidents, significantly above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category's dominance may be influenced by the town's social dynamics, including the presence of multiple educational institutions and a mix of urban and industrial areas that could contribute to higher levels of interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, at 24.3% of total crimes, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000 that was 137% above the UK average. This discrepancy could be linked to the seasonal context of December, when darker evenings and festive events may exacerbate incidents of disorder. Criminal damage and arson, at 7.7% of total crimes, also showed a marked increase compared to the UK rate. These trends may be partially explained by the seasonal nature of the month, with the combination of holiday-related activities and the closure of certain businesses during the Christmas period contributing to a rise in property-related offences. The overall crime rate, while higher than the UK average, does not indicate a complete divergence from national patterns but rather highlights specific challenges that Blackburn faces in its efforts to manage and reduce crime.

December saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with violent crime remaining the most prevalent category at 37.8% of total incidents, significantly above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, at 2.2 per 1,000, was 137% above the UK rate, a figure that may reflect seasonal factors such as festive gatherings and reduced daylight hours. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 25.6% compared to November, dropping from 78 to 58 incidents, suggesting that heightened policing during the Christmas shopping peak may have had an impact. Vehicle crime also fell by 24.5%, from 53 to 40 incidents, linked to fewer vehicles on the roads during the holiday period. However, criminal damage and arson rose by 34.4%, increasing from 64 to 86 incidents, a trend that may be connected to the seasonal context of empty homes and increased alcohol consumption. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and broader national trends, with some categories showing marked improvement while others remain a concern.

Blackburn's crime rate in December 2025 stood at 8.9 per 1,000 residents, a 5.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.5 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, suggests a potential stabilisation in local crime trends. Daily crime activity averaged 36 incidents per day over the 31-day period, reflecting the persistent nature of criminal activity in the area. When scaled to the population of 124,917, the monthly exposure rate indicates that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 112 residents. This figure contextualises the frequency of crime in a way that residents can relate to, showing that while the rate is higher than the UK average, it remains a monthly aggregate rather than a daily concern. The comparison to the UK average highlights Blackburn's distinct position within national crime statistics, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and violence, which are significantly above the national benchmark. This underscores the need for targeted local strategies to address these specific challenges, while the overall rate suggests that efforts to reduce crime may be having some effect.