Great Harwood Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Great Harwood in August 2023 reveals a striking imbalance in crime types, with anti-social behaviour and violence dominating the landscape. At 9.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate was 11.1% above the UK average, a figure that underscores persistent challenges in maintaining public safety. Anti-social behaviour alone accounted for 37.4% of all crimes, far exceeding the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000 residents by 136%. This overwhelming presence of anti-social incidents suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors, such as high population density or limited recreational spaces. Violence and sexual offences followed closely, contributing 29.3% of total crimes, with a 2% above UK average rate. This pattern may be influenced by the area's built-up character, where concentrated residential zones can amplify interpersonal conflicts. Seasonal factors further shape this profile: August's peak holiday season likely increases transient populations, which may contribute to anti-social behaviour. However, the sharp decline in vehicle crime (down 85% from July) hints at reduced traffic during summer holidays, a trend consistent with other built-up areas during similar periods. The dominance of non-property crimes—anti-social behaviour and violence—over property-related offences (21 property crimes compared to 58 violent and anti-social incidents) indicates a focus on community-level issues rather than economic motivations. This mix of crime types illustrates a community grappling with social cohesion challenges, where local initiatives may need to prioritise conflict resolution and public engagement strategies.

August 2023 revealed stark shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons surging by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents) and robbery doubling from zero to one case. These increases align with seasonal factors, as August is a peak holiday month when transient populations may contribute to heightened tensions. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 85% (from 20 to 3 incidents), likely reflecting reduced vehicle activity during summer holidays. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 37.4% of all crimes, a figure 136% above the UK average. This dominance of anti-social behaviour suggests community-specific challenges, such as high population density or limited public space for social interaction. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 80% (from 5 to 1 incident), potentially linked to seasonal retail patterns or effective local enforcement. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in built-up areas, where temporary factors can significantly alter incident rates.

Great Harwood's crime rate in August 2023 fell by 9.1% compared to July's 10.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a notable decline. This reduction contrasts with the 11.1% above the UK average for the month, suggesting local factors may have influenced the trend. On a daily basis, the area saw an average of three crimes reported each day in August, a figure that aligns with typical patterns for built-up areas of similar size. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 111 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents within a relatively small population. While this rate is lower than the previous month, it remains above the UK average, indicating persistent challenges in crime management. The population context—10,955 residents—means that even minor fluctuations in crime rates can have measurable impacts on community safety perceptions. This monthly exposure figure, though not directly comparable to national data, provides a tangible sense of risk for local residents.