Whittle-le-Woods Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile in Whittle-le-Woods for May 2023, accounting for 28% of all reported crimes. This category, along with anti-social behaviour (also 28% of total crimes), forms the twin pillars of the area’s monthly crime picture. The overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents places the area 53.8% below the UK average of 8.0, a significant deviation that suggests a markedly lower risk profile compared to national trends. This disparity may reflect the area’s character as a smaller, built-up community within Chorley, where social cohesion and lower population density could contribute to reduced crime levels. Seasonal factors in May—such as longer evenings and increased outdoor drinking and socialising—likely play a role in the prominence of violence and sexual offences. The low rates of property crimes (12% of total) and other theft (4% of total) further underscore the area’s unique crime dynamics, contrasting sharply with urban centres where property crime often dominates. These patterns align with the area’s likely mix of residential and low-density commercial spaces, where community interaction and local policing may mitigate certain types of crime.

May 2023 saw a 200% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 1 to 3 incidents, and a similarly steep 200% rise in public order offences, both of which suggest a shift in criminal activity linked to seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences also surged by 133.3%, jumping from 3 to 7 cases, a stark contrast to the 12.5% decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 8 to 7. This divergence in trends highlights the combination of different crime categories, with public safety concerns in specific areas potentially outpacing efforts to address anti-social conduct. The UK comparison reveals that violence and sexual offences in Whittle-le-Woods are 64% below the national average, a figure that may be attributed to the area’s relatively low population density and the absence of major nightlife hubs. Meanwhile, vehicle crime in the area is 11% above the UK average, a small but notable deviation that could be explained by local parking patterns or the presence of commuter routes. These findings offer a nuanced view of the area’s crime profile, where some categories align with national trends while others deviate significantly.

The crime rate in May 2023 (3.7 per 1,000 residents) marks a 55.9% increase compared to the previous month’s rate of 2.4, indicating a clear upward trend over the past two months. On a daily basis, this translates to roughly one crime reported per day in Whittle-le-Woods, a figure that may seem high for some residents but is contextually modest when viewed against the area’s population of 6,732. Over the course of the month, the average resident faced a 1-in-269 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime, a statistic that, while numerically low, underscores the importance of community vigilance. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which, if extrapolated, would suggest a much higher likelihood of encountering crime in other regions. The population-scaled perspective reinforces the idea that Whittle-le-Woods remains a relatively safe area, though the recent upward trend in certain crime categories warrants attention. Residents may find the 1-in-269 figure a useful benchmark for understanding their personal risk, particularly as local authorities and community groups continue to monitor and address emerging patterns.