Whittle-le-Woods Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Whittle-le-Woods' crime profile in May 2025, accounting for 50% of all reported incidents. At 4.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate is 44.4% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects the area's character as a low-density built-up zone within Chorley, where community cohesion and limited urban density may temper criminal activity. The most prevalent category, violence and sexual offences (15 incidents), is 22% below the UK average for this category, consistent with the area's relatively stable social fabric. Anti-social behaviour follows closely (9 incidents, 30% of total), though it remains 8% below the UK average. The low volume of property crimes (4 incidents) suggests minimal theft or burglary, aligning with the area's lower population density and potentially reduced opportunities for such offences. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contribute to the rise in violent incidents, as extended daylight and social gatherings may heighten interactions in public spaces. However, the absence of a significant property crime spike indicates that local dynamics, such as strong community policing or low foot traffic in residential areas, may mitigate theft risks. The overall picture illustrates a community where interpersonal conflicts and anti-social conduct are more prominent than property-related crimes, a pattern often seen in smaller, semi-rural built-up areas with limited commercial hubs.

May 2025 saw dramatic month-on-month increases in anti-social behaviour (+200%), violence and sexual offences (+114.3%), and vehicle crime (+100%). These spikes, particularly in violent crime, suggest a shift in the area's crime mix from property-focused incidents to interpersonal offences. Anti-social behaviour, now accounting for 30% of all reported crimes, rose from 3 to 9 incidents, a threefold increase. This surge may reflect the impact of May's bank holidays and extended evenings, which could amplify public drinking and rowdy behaviour in local pubs and open spaces. Violence and sexual offences, though still 22% below the UK average for this category, nearly doubled from 7 to 15 incidents—a rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. The rise in violent crime contrasts with the UK's broader trend, where property crimes often dominate seasonal fluctuations. Vehicle crime, which had not occurred in April, now stands at 1 incident—a 100% increase. This anomaly could indicate a one-off event, such as a vehicle being targeted in a newly developed residential area. Other theft remains 43% below the UK average, with only 2 incidents, while public order offences are 66% below the UK rate. These figures highlight the area's unique profile, where interpersonal conflicts and anti-social conduct are more prevalent than property crimes, a pattern consistent with its semi-rural character.

Whittle-le-Woods' crime rate in May 2025 (4.5 per 1,000 residents) marks an 87.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.4 per 1,000, underscoring a significant upward trend. Over the course of the month, this equates to roughly 1 crime per day—a local figure that provides context for residents. On a monthly basis, this means one reported crime occurred for every 224 residents, a statistic that helps gauge the scale of risk relative to the population. While the overall rate is still 44.4% below the UK average, the month-on-month surge raises questions about the factors driving this change. The daily crime count, though low, may indicate a concentration of incidents in specific times or locations, such as late evenings in the area's few public spaces. The 1-in-224 residents figure, while seemingly small, becomes more meaningful when considering the area's low population density—6,732 residents spread across a built-up zone with limited commercial activity. This suggests that even a modest number of crimes can feel impactful to the community. The previous month's significantly lower rate (2.4 per 1,000) may have been influenced by seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings in April, which could have reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes. The May increase, however, aligns with the season's longer nights and increased socialising, which may heighten the visibility of anti-social and violent incidents.