Darwen Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 28,102 residents, Darwen recorded 225 crimes in February 2025, translating to 8.0 crimes per 1,000 people—19.4% above the UK average of 6.7. This rate underscores a notable divergence from national trends, particularly in violent and property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.2% of all crimes (77 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (30.2%, 68 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (8.9%, 20 incidents). These figures align with patterns typical of built-up areas where high-density living and social dynamics may amplify certain crime types. February, a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may have influenced the prominence of indoor crimes such as anti-social behaviour and domestic disputes. While the overall crime rate remains elevated, the breakdown of offences reveals a combination of local factors and broader societal trends. For instance, the relatively high rate of anti-social behaviour could reflect the challenges of managing community spaces during colder months, when social interactions are more confined to public areas. Similarly, the prevalence of criminal damage and arson may be linked to the area’s industrial heritage, where abandoned or poorly maintained properties could serve as targets. These insights, however, remain speculative without further data on local initiatives or demographic shifts. The seasonal context suggests that as spring approaches, crime patterns may shift again, with a reduction in indoor-based offences and an uptick in outdoor activity-related crimes.

February 2025 saw sharp increases in burglary (+333.3%, from 3 to 13 incidents) and shoplifting (+233.3%, from 3 to 10 incidents), both of which could indicate targeted activity during the winter lull. Conversely, other crime fell by 72.7% (from 11 to 3 incidents), and robbery dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1), though the latter remains a concern given its 100% deficit compared to the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, the most common offence in Darwen, was 147% above the UK average, a stark contrast to shoplifting, which was 35% below the national rate. This disparity highlights the uneven distribution of crime types across the area, with property crimes and public order issues dominating over more severe violent offences. The 8.0 crime rate—19.4% above the UK average—suggests that local factors, such as population density or socio-economic conditions, may contribute to the elevated levels. Residents should be particularly vigilant regarding burglary, which saw a dramatic surge, and anti-social behaviour, which remains persistently high. The data also reveals a potential seasonal anomaly: while shoplifting increased, theft from the person—typically associated with tourist areas or high-footfall zones—rose by 100% to a single incident, a figure that is 100% below the UK average. This contrast may reflect the absence of large-scale events or tourist activity in Darwen during February, a month when most commercial areas experience quieter periods.

Darwen’s crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents in February 2025 marks a 12.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.2, suggesting a short-term trend of moderation. However, this reduction does not fully offset the area’s persistent elevation relative to the UK average. On a daily basis, Darwen experienced approximately 8 crimes per day in February, a figure that, while not uncommon for built-up areas, highlights the constant presence of criminal activity in the community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents within a relatively small population. When compared to the UK average, Darwen’s crime profile reveals stark contrasts: anti-social behaviour is 147% above the national rate, while shoplifting and theft from the person are significantly below. This divergence may reflect the unique characteristics of Darwen as a built-up area within Blackburn with Darwen, where social cohesion and community policing efforts could influence local crime trends. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that, despite the overall rate being higher than the UK average, the distribution of specific offences varies widely. For instance, the 8.0 rate includes a mix of violent and property crimes that may be more concentrated in certain parts of the area, such as retail zones or densely populated neighbourhoods. These patterns suggest that targeted interventions could be more effective than broad-based strategies in addressing Darwen’s crime challenges.