Burnley Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Burnley’s crime rate in September 2023 stood at 12.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 50% above the UK average of 8.0. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the unique challenges facing this industrial town in the north of England. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (382 incidents, 32.1% of total), anti-social behaviour (375 incidents, 31.5%), and criminal damage and arson (99 incidents, 8.3%). These figures align with Burnley’s historical profile as a post-industrial town with a legacy of deprivation and social fragmentation, factors that may contribute to higher rates of violent and disorderly conduct. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return of students to local universities and the start of the academic year—may have exacerbated tensions in already strained communities. Violence and sexual offences, which are 42% above the UK average, could be linked to the convergence of transient populations in Burnley’s town centre during freshers’ week. Similarly, anti-social behaviour’s 184% above-average rate may reflect the strain on public spaces during this period. Criminal damage and arson, while lower in absolute terms, remain high, tied to the town’s economic challenges and the lack of investment in community infrastructure. These patterns suggest that Burnley’s crime profile is shaped by a combination of structural issues and seasonal pressures, necessitating targeted interventions to address the root causes of these disparities.

September 2023 saw a 500% surge in theft from the person, rising from one to six incidents—a stark anomaly that may reflect increased foot traffic during university freshers’ week. Bicycle theft also spiked by 250%, climbing from two to seven cases, potentially linked to the influx of students and the start of the academic term. Drug-related offences rose 137.5%, with incidents jumping from eight to 19, a trend that may signal shifts in local drug markets or increased policing activity in certain areas. Conversely, other theft and other crime categories fell by 37.1% and 35.7% respectively, suggesting some crime types may be temporarily subdued. Violent crime remains the largest category, accounting for 32.1% of all incidents, and is 42% above the UK average. These fluctuations underscore the combination of seasonal events and underlying crime patterns in Burnley.

Burnley’s crime rate in September 2023 rose 2.5% from the previous month, climbing to 12.0 per 1,000 residents. This places the area 50% above the UK average, a gap that has remained consistent despite seasonal fluctuations. Daily crime activity in Burnley averaged 40 reported incidents, a figure that underscores the persistent pressure on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 83 residents—a rate that, while contextually tied to Burnley’s population of nearly 100,000, highlights the intensity of criminal activity relative to the national picture. This monthly exposure metric, though not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, serves as a tangible reminder of the frequency with which residents may encounter crime in their daily lives. The slight upward trend from August suggests that efforts to curb crime may need recalibration, particularly in light of the area’s ongoing challenges with anti-social behaviour and violent crime.