Monthly Crime Statistics

Blackburn Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Blackburn's crime rate in May 2025 reached 11.4 per 1,000, 40.7% above the UK average. Violence and sexual offences rose sharply, while anti-social behaviour remained disproportionately high.

1,418
Total Crimes
11.4
Per 1,000 People
8.1
UK Average
+8.6%
vs Previous Month

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Blackburn's crime rate in May 2025 stood at 11.4 per 1,000 residents, 40.7% above the UK average of 8.1. This marked deviation from national trends is most pronounced in violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.4% of all crimes reported—38% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, at 29.2% of total incidents, was 132% above the UK average, reflecting a persistent challenge in maintaining public order. These figures contrast sharply with the UK's generally lower rates for both categories, suggesting a unique local dynamic. The seasonal context of May—characterised by bank holidays, extended daylight hours, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violent and anti-social incidents. Blackburn, a historically industrial town with a mix of urban and suburban areas, may see such patterns exacerbated by factors like alcohol consumption in public spaces and concentrated populations in certain districts. Meanwhile, property crimes remain relatively low, with shoplifting at 5.4% of total incidents, 10% below the UK average. This divergence highlights the area's distinct crime profile, where interpersonal conflicts and disorder appear to dominate over theft and burglary. The data also reveals a paradox: while vehicle crime and other theft rose, theft from the person fell sharply, possibly due to increased awareness or policing efforts in high-risk areas. These trends underscore the need for a nuanced approach to crime prevention, tailored to Blackburn's specific socio-economic and geographic context.

May 2025 saw a 28.8% increase in violence and sexual offences, with 488 reported incidents—34.4% of total crimes. This category alone is 38% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the national trend. Anti-social behaviour also surged, rising 30% from April to 78 cases, placing Blackburn 132% above the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 50%, from 4 to 2 cases, the most significant decrease among all crime types. Other theft, however, increased by 45.5%, driven by a sharp rise from 55 to 80 incidents. These fluctuations suggest a combination of local factors and broader seasonal dynamics, with longer evenings and bank holidays likely contributing to the spike in violent and anti-social incidents. Residents may find the 46 daily crime rate particularly concerning, though targeted reductions in theft from the person offer a glimmer of progress.

Blackburn's crime rate in May 2025 rose to 11.4 per 1,000 residents, an 8.6% increase from April's 10.5. This places the area significantly above the UK average, which remains stable at 8.1 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show 46 reported incidents per day, reflecting a persistent challenge for local authorities. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 88 residents, a figure that highlights the density of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 124,917, the monthly exposure rate underscores the need for targeted policing and community engagement strategies. The shift from April to May includes a notable rise in violence and sexual offences, which now dominate the crime profile, suggesting seasonal factors such as increased social activity during longer evenings may play a role. These patterns align with broader trends observed in similar urban centres during spring months.

Crime Breakdown - May 2025

Crime TypeCountPer 1,000% of Total
Violence and sexual offences4883.934.4%
Anti-social behaviour4143.329.2%
Criminal damage and arson950.86.7%
Other theft800.65.6%
Public order780.65.5%
Shoplifting760.65.4%
Vehicle crime680.54.8%
Drugs380.32.7%
Other crime270.21.9%
Burglary240.21.7%
Possession of weapons150.11.1%
Robbery80.10.6%
Bicycle theft500.4%
Theft from the person200.1%

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)

4,683+
Areas Covered
8.2M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen). This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.ukCrime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National StatisticsPopulation statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home OfficeNationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI RequestsAdditional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,683+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally monthly) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

scOS is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations.

Page updated: 9 March 2026

New data is released by Police.uk approximately once a month