Darwen Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Darwen's crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 residents in May 2025 places it 33.3% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, highlighting a significant divergence from national trends. This built-up area within Blackburn with Darwen shows a distinct crime profile shaped by local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominate, accounting for 36.4% of all crimes reported, followed by anti-social behaviour (28.5%) and vehicle crime (10.9%). These figures contrast sharply with UK averages, where violence and sexual offences are 38% lower and anti-social behaviour is 118% below the national rate. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributes to patterns seen in violent and anti-social crimes. While the UK experiences a seasonal dip in property crime during spring, Darwen's vehicle crime rate is 200% above the national average, suggesting local factors such as parking density or traffic patterns may be at play. The area's crime picture reflects both national trends and unique local conditions, requiring targeted analysis to address persistent disparities in violent and anti-social crime relative to the UK average.

May 2025 saw a 300% increase in possession of weapons, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, a stark shift in the crime mix. Vehicle crime surged by 83.3% (18 to 33), significantly exceeding the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. This spike may be linked to increased traffic or parking activity during the month. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 45.5% (11 to 6), and burglary dropped 41.7% (12 to 7), suggesting potential success in local initiatives or seasonal factors reducing retail crime. Anti-social behaviour remains 118% above the UK average, a persistent challenge for the area. Other theft is 25% below the UK average, indicating a relative strength in this category. The contrast between rising vehicle crime and falling burglary highlights shifting patterns in property-related offences, with implications for policing priorities. Residents may find the 45.5% drop in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it could reflect changes in retail security measures or consumer behaviour during the month.

Darwen's crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 in May 2025 marks a 4.1% decline from the previous month's 11.2 per 1,000, indicating a modest downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 10 crimes per day in May, a figure that, while localised, provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 93 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is 33.3% higher than the UK average. This statistic, when viewed against Darwen's population of 28,102, underscores the area's elevated crime profile relative to national benchmarks. The 11.2 per 1,000 rate in April 2025 suggests that the current figure, while lower, remains significantly above the UK average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Darwen's residents face a higher risk of encountering crime than the average UK resident, particularly in categories like violence and anti-social behaviour. This comparative analysis highlights the need for sustained efforts to address the area's unique challenges while acknowledging the progress reflected in the month-on-month decline.