Burnley Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remain the dominant force shaping Burnley's crime picture in December 2024, accounting for nearly 38% of all reported incidents. This category's 10.5 per 1,000 rate—47.9% above the UK average—underscores the area's particular challenges in addressing public order and safety. The seasonal context of December, with its long evenings and holiday-related activity, likely contributes to the elevated levels of violence, as seen in the 11.4% month-on-month increase. Anti-social behaviour, at 27.2% of all crimes, further amplifies the pressure on local services, with its rate 209% above the UK average. This disparity reflects Burnley's demographic and geographic characteristics: a post-industrial town with a history of economic hardship that may heighten tensions during periods of social congregation. Criminal damage and arson, at 6.9% of all crimes, also persist above the UK average, suggesting ongoing issues with property-related disputes and vandalism. These patterns align with Burnley's broader context as a town with a significant proportion of older housing stock and a community that may struggle with resource constraints. While shoplifting rates dipped slightly below the UK average, the overall dominance of violent and anti-social crimes indicates that the area's crime profile remains heavily influenced by social and economic factors rather than seasonal or transient issues.

December saw an 11.4% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 352 to 392 incidents. This category remains 56% above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, highlighting a persistent challenge in Burnley's public safety landscape. Conversely, robbery incidents dropped by 50%, falling from 10 to 5, a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in activity patterns or increased community vigilance during the festive period. Other crime, including anti-social behaviour and drug-related incidents, surged by 76.2% and 16.7% respectively, with the former category 209% above the UK average. These spikes contrast sharply with the 12% decline in shoplifting, which fell below the UK average for the first time this year. Such fluctuations underscore the combination of local factors and national trends in shaping Burnley's crime profile.

Burnley's December 2024 crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents marks a 5.0% decline from the previous month's 11.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight easing in overall criminal activity. This reduction aligns with the typical seasonal dip observed in some areas during the post-Christmas period, though the rate remains significantly above the UK average. On a daily basis, 34 crimes were reported across Burnley's 31 days, equating to roughly one crime for every 95 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure underscores the persistent presence of crime in the area, particularly when compared to the UK average. The population context further highlights the disparity: with 99,233 residents, Burnley's crime rate suggests a higher risk of personal involvement in criminal incidents than the national average, though local factors such as community engagement and policing strategies may influence this dynamic.