Chorley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Chorley’s crime rate in February 2026 was 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 18.8% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance reflects a broader pattern of declining crime, particularly in violent and anti-social categories, which may be influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity and the pre-spring lull in social events. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.9%) and criminal damage and arson (9.0%). The dominance of violent crime in the local landscape suggests a need for continued focus on community safety initiatives, even as the area outperforms the UK average in several key categories. Anti-social behaviour, for instance, was recorded at 0.6 per 1,000—34% below the UK average—indicating effective local interventions or a demographic profile less prone to such incidents. However, the area’s relatively low rates of shoplifting (31% below the UK average) and public order offences (51% below) suggest a community with strong social cohesion and possibly a lower density of nightlife or retail hubs compared to other regions. The seasonal context of February, with its typically low outdoor activity, may have contributed to the overall decline in crime, though the sharp increase in vehicle crime (130.8% month-on-month) highlights a potential vulnerability in local infrastructure or enforcement. These patterns underscore the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to both seasonal and geographic factors, ensuring that gains in one area are not offset by emerging risks elsewhere.

February 2026 saw a significant 130.8% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 13 to 30 incidents. This sharp rise, though concerning, contrasts with broader declines in other categories. Anti-social behaviour fell by 49% compared to January, a reduction that may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as reduced public gatherings during the winter months. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by nearly 20%, with 274 incidents recorded—down from 342 in January. This decline is particularly noteworthy given that violence remains the most prevalent crime type in Chorley, accounting for 43.9% of all reported incidents. On a national scale, Chorley’s rate of violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000) is 1% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (0.6 per 1,000) is 34% below the national figure. These comparisons highlight the area’s relative success in managing high-impact crimes, even as vehicle crime emerges as a new area of concern.

Chorley's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 16.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of February, a time of year typically marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in social events. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 22 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with local patterns, remains lower than the UK average when scaled to population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 194 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime in Chorley compared to the national context. This monthly exposure figure, when considered alongside the broader trend of declining crime rates, suggests a sustained period of improvement in local safety, though such metrics do not account for variations in reporting or policing intensity across different regions.