Local Area Crime Statistics

Bolton Crime Rate

Crime is decreasing and LOW in Bolton

Bolton boasts an exceptional safety score of 100/100 with a low crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000, significantly below the UK average.

Overall Crime Rate

0.3
per 1,000 people
100% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

0.1
per 1,000 people
100% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 310,085 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Bolton

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Bolton
Overall Crime Rate0.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate0.1 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score100 out of 100
Population310,085
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Bolton
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences380.145%
Public order10012%
Other crime9011%
Criminal damage and arson708%
Other theft607%
Vehicle crime405%
Drugs304%
Anti-social behaviour304%
Theft from the person202%
Possession of weapons101%
Shoplifting101%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Bolton

Bolton presents a remarkably low crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000 people per year, significantly safer than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. With a safety score of 100 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average of 78, Bolton stands out as a particularly secure area. This positive trend is further reinforced by a notable decrease in crime year-over-year, indicating an improving safety landscape for its residents. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of these statistics, offering insights into specific crime types and local trends.

Bolton Safety Score

100
Very Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Bolton has a good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

About Bolton

Bolton, a large town in Greater Manchester with a population of 310,085, encompasses a mix of urban and suburban characteristics. Historically a mill town, it has diversified its economy beyond traditional manufacturing to include retail, education, and healthcare. The town centre serves as a commercial hub, while surrounding areas are predominantly residential. Its proximity to major transport links, including motorways and rail networks, makes it accessible. The population is diverse, contributing to a vibrant community. These various factors, from its economic makeup to its population density and transport infrastructure, collectively influence the local crime statistics, contributing to the overall safety profile observed in Bolton.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
38 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)
Public order
10 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Other crime
9 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
7 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Other theft
6 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
4 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Drugs
3 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
3 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
2 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
1 incidents (0 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1 incidents (0 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

100% change(over 12 months)
Bolton
UK Average

Compare Bolton with similar populations

Bolton has a 99.7% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Bolton

An analysis of crime types in Bolton reveals that violence and sexual offences constitute the most prevalent category, accounting for 45.2% of all reported incidents with 38 crimes. Public order offences follow, making up 11.9% with 10 crimes, and 'other crime' represents 10.7% with 9 crimes. When considering property-related crime, which includes criminal damage and arson (7 crimes, 8.3%), other theft (6 crimes, 7.1%), vehicle crime (4 crimes, 4.8%), and theft from the person (2 crimes, 2.4%), these categories collectively represent a smaller proportion of the total crime landscape. The low property crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 people suggests that residents and homeowners in Bolton experience a relatively low risk of crimes directly affecting their property, contributing to the area's high safety score.

Crime Trends in Bolton

Bolton has experienced a significant positive shift in its crime landscape, with an impressive year-over-year decrease of 27.6% in total crimes. This downward trend is evident in the monthly crime rate data, which shows consistently low figures across the 12-month period. For instance, the crime rate per 1,000 people remained at 0.1 in October 2024 before dropping to 0.0 for most subsequent months through to September 2025. This sustained period of minimal reported crime suggests a stable and improving safety environment. For residents, this trend indicates a reduced likelihood of encountering criminal activity, reinforcing Bolton's reputation as a safe place to live.

Comparing Bolton with Nearby Areas

When placed in regional context, Bolton's crime statistics compare favourably with its neighbours. Areas such as Wigan, Bury, Blackburn with Darwen, Salford, Chorley, and Rossendale offer a varied landscape for comparison. While specific crime rates for these areas would provide a direct contrast, Bolton's overall crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000 and an exceptional safety score of 100/100 suggest it stands as one of the safer locales within the broader Greater Manchester and Lancashire regions. This favourable positioning can be a significant factor for individuals and families considering moving to the area, highlighting Bolton's relative security compared to other administrative districts.

Home Security and Protection in Bolton

While Bolton boasts an excellent safety record and a very low property crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 people, the importance of robust home security remains paramount. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV, often only provide footage after a crime has occurred, offering a reactive rather than proactive solution. If you are seeking genuine peace of mind and prevention, consider advanced AI-powered systems like scOS. This innovative home security operating system is designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than merely recording an incident after a break-in.

Unlike DIY systems that notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring no blind spots, and can even verify vehicles instantly with DVLA integration to catch fake plates. By learning your family's routines, scOS only alerts you to real threats, avoiding unnecessary alarms. The system's autonomous response, which includes activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Given that most burglars decide within 60 seconds whether to proceed, the visible deterrence of professional-grade equipment like scOS can make them move on, providing a level of proactive protection that traditional methods simply cannot match. Investing in such a system is about actively stopping threats at your property line, offering a significant advantage over merely documenting a crime after it has happened.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Bolton

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.ukRecorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National StatisticsDemographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home OfficeNational offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI RequestsSupplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.

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

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.