Chorley Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chorley’s crime rate in January 2024 was 6.6 per 1,000 residents, 10.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure places the area in a relatively safer position compared to the national context, though specific crime categories reveal a more nuanced picture. The most prevalent type of crime was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.8% of all reported incidents. This was followed by anti-social behaviour, which made up 26.3% of the total and stood at 1.7 per 1,000—72% higher than the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends suggests unique local factors may be at play, such as community dynamics or localized pressures during the post-holiday period. Seasonal context further complicates the picture: January, with its shorter days and reduced retail footfall, typically sees a decline in outdoor crimes, which may explain the lower overall rate. However, the prominence of anti-social behaviour, a category often linked to social interactions in public spaces, highlights the need for targeted interventions. Other notable categories included criminal damage and arson (9.0% of total crimes), which was 5% above the UK average, and public order offences (3.5%), which were 58% below the national figure. These variations underscore the importance of understanding how different crime types interact with the area’s character. While Chorley’s overall rate is lower than the UK average, the concentration of certain offences—particularly anti-social behaviour—suggests that localised efforts to address community-specific issues may be necessary. The seasonal transition from the holiday season to the new year, coupled with the typical reduction in outdoor activity, likely contributed to the overall trend, though the exact mechanisms remain to be explored in further analysis.

January 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with other crime increasing by 118.2% compared to the previous month, driven by a rise from 11 to 24 incidents. This surge, while significant, contrasts with the 50% increase in theft from the person, which rose from 2 to 3 cases. Conversely, some categories experienced declines, including possession of weapons, which fell by 50%, and other theft, which dropped by 35.4%. The crime mix also shifted, with violent crimes accounting for 37.8% of total incidents, while property crimes remained relatively low at 28%. Anti-social behaviour, however, emerged as a standout category, with a rate of 1.7 per 1,000—72% above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be linked to factors such as increased social interactions during the post-holiday period or localized community tensions. For residents, the sharp increase in other crime—a category that includes offenses like vandalism and public disorder—may warrant closer attention, particularly in areas where such incidents are concentrated.

Chorley's crime rate in January 2024 stood at 6.6 per 1,000 residents, marking an 11.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.5 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in January, a post-holiday period characterised by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may partly explain the lower frequency of outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, Chorley recorded approximately 26 crimes per day during January, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 151 residents. This figure provides a tangible sense of the scale of crime relative to the local population, which stands at 120,839. When compared to the UK average, Chorley’s overall crime rate remains lower, underscoring the area’s relative safety profile. However, the population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is below the national average, the absolute number of crimes still represents a significant concern for local communities. This context is crucial for understanding how crime impacts individual residents and informs local policing strategies.