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

For residents of Whittle-le-Woods, the crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 in October 2023 translates to a daily risk that, while low, is not negligible. This rate—62.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000—suggests a generally safe environment, but the composition of crimes offers insight into local vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35% of all incidents, a figure that, at 1.0 per 1,000, is 63% below the UK average. This may reflect the area's smaller, more tightly knit community, where personal conflicts are less likely to escalate into serious violence. Vehicle crime, however, emerged as a notable concern, with six incidents reported—30% of total crimes and 73% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This anomaly could be linked to the area's built-up character within Chorley, where limited public transport options may increase reliance on private vehicles. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, Halloween, and the clocks going back—likely contributed to increased visibility of vehicle crime, as drivers may be more cautious or less vigilant in low-light conditions. Criminal damage and arson (15% of crimes) and other theft (10%) both fell below UK averages, suggesting that property-related crime is not a dominant concern here. The relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour (84% below UK average) and burglary (41% below) further reinforce the area's overall safety profile, though the 100% increase in vehicle crime from September raises questions about emerging risks. As a built-up area with a population of 6,732, Whittle-le-Woods appears to balance the challenges of urban density with the lower crime rates typical of smaller communities, but the sharp rise in vehicle crime underscores the need for targeted awareness.

October 2023 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with vehicle crime, other theft, and burglary all tripling compared to September. This 100% increase in vehicle crime—from zero to six incidents—suggests a sudden rise in thefts from parked vehicles, possibly linked to seasonal factors like darker evenings or Halloween-related activity. Other theft also doubled, with two reported incidents, while burglary rose from zero to one. These spikes contrast with a 50% decrease in anti-social behaviour, which fell from two to one incident. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category (35% of total crimes), but their rate (1.0 per 1,000) was 63% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Vehicle crime, however, was 73% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, highlighting a localised challenge. Residents might find the 100% rise in vehicle crime particularly concerning, as it indicates a new vulnerability in an area previously unmarked by such incidents.

Whittle-le-Woods' crime rate in October 2023 (3.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 121.6% increase from the previous month's 1.3 per 1,000. This jump, while significant, still leaves the area 62.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported incident per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may feel more tangible to residents. When scaled to the area's population of 6,732, this translates to one crime occurring for roughly every 337 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure is relatively low, the sharp rise from September suggests a need for continued vigilance. The local context—small, built-up area within Chorley—may mean that crime is concentrated in specific locations rather than spread evenly across the community. This pattern could align with the area's limited retail presence and lower population density, which may influence both the frequency and visibility of incidents.