Blackpool Crime Rate

Blackpool presents a complex safety profile with an overall crime rate of 207.0 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.7. This is reflected in a safety score of 52/100, placing the area just above the national average for general safety despite the high volume of incidents. The crime trend is currently stable, showing a minor decrease of -1.7% year-over-year. For the population of 144,191, these figures are heavily influenced by the town's status as a major tourist destination, which brings a high volume of transient visitors and a busy nightlife economy. Property crime is also elevated at 49.5 per 1,000 residents. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics to help residents and businesses navigate the local security landscape.

Blackpool's crime statistics are influenced by its unique status as one of the UK's premier seaside resorts. The local authority area serves a permanent population of over 144,000, but this figure is vastly increased by millions of tourists annually. This high transient population, combined with a concentrated nightlife economy and major transport hubs, contributes significantly to the volume of recorded crime. The town's density and economic landscape, which includes a mix of hospitality, retail, and residential sectors, create a complex environment for safety. Areas with high footfall and late-night entertainment naturally see higher rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Additionally, Blackpool faces socio-economic challenges that can influence crime rates, particularly in densely populated urban wards. Understanding these factors is crucial when interpreting the raw data, as the town's role as a major regional activity hub inevitably impacts its statistical profile compared to more purely residential or rural local authorities.

In Blackpool, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.0% of all recorded incidents (76.6 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 28.3% and criminal damage and arson at 6.4%. These three categories represent the majority of police activity in the district.

Property crime in Blackpool—which includes burglary, robbery, various forms of theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—is recorded at a combined rate of 49.5 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 32.3. Within this category, 'other theft' (5.5%) and shoplifting (4.6%) are the most prevalent, while vehicle crime and burglary account for 2.8% and 2.7% of total crime respectively. For residents, this means that while personal safety and public order are the primary focus of local policing, the risk to property remains elevated compared to national figures. The high rate of criminal damage (13.2 per 1,000) further suggests that visible property security is a key consideration for homeowners and businesses alike.

The crime trend in Blackpool is currently stable, with a minor -1.7% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. Monthly data shows a seasonal pattern typical of a major resort town. After starting the year with rates around 15.2 to 15.7 per 1,000 in the winter months, activity spiked significantly as the tourist season approached. March 2025 saw a rate of 19.1, with August recording the year's peak at 19.3 per 1,000. The rates then began to decline as the year ended, reaching 14.8 in November. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is stable, residents should expect higher levels of activity during the busier spring and summer months.

When compared to neighbouring local authorities, Blackpool is a significant outlier for recorded crime. While Blackpool records 207.0 crimes per 1,000 people, the surrounding areas of Fylde, Wyre, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Chorley all reported zero crimes per 1,000 residents during this specific data period. This stark contrast highlights Blackpool's role as a major urban and commercial centre for the region. The town's unique economic drivers—including tourism and a concentrated service sector—naturally lead to a higher volume of recorded activity than its more residential or rural neighbours, making it the primary focal point for policing in the area.

With a property crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents—well above the UK average—Blackpool homeowners and businesses face a genuine need for advanced security. In a busy urban environment with high footfall, traditional reactive security like basic CCTV or standard alarms often fails to prevent crime. These systems typically only record an event as it happens or notify you after a break-in has already occurred.

The scOS system provides a proactive alternative designed for high-activity areas. By using AI to monitor multiple cameras simultaneously, it detects potential threats at your property's boundary before a breach occurs. Whether it's identifying suspicious loitering or verifying vehicles via DVLA integration, scOS can autonomously respond with deterrents like lighting and audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Most burglars decide whether to target a property within 60 seconds; the visible presence of a professional-grade scOS system makes that decision easy for them, forcing them to move on. For real protection in an area with Blackpool's crime profile, proactive prevention is the most effective choice.

How To Keep Safe in Blackpool

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Blackpool, followed by anti-social behaviour. Given the town's busy nature and high crime rate, residents and visitors should take proactive steps to ensure personal safety.

• Be highly aware of your surroundings in the town centre and along the promenade, especially during late-night hours when nightlife activity is at its peak.
• Stick to well-lit, populated routes when walking at night and avoid isolated areas or poorly lit side streets.
• Ensure your home and business premises are physically secure with high-quality locks and reinforced entry points to mitigate the risk of property crime.
• Keep high-value items out of sight when in public and never leave bags or electronics unattended in cars or public spaces.
• Report anti-social behaviour to the local authorities; this helps the police map 'hotspots' and allocate resources effectively to the areas most in need.
• Engage with local Neighbourhood Watch schemes or business crime reduction partnerships to stay informed about recent trends and share safety information.