Great Harwood Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Great Harwood's overall crime rate for July 2024 stood at 7.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 8.3% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This performance contrasts with national trends, particularly in violent crime categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 44.1% of all reported crimes in the month, significantly exceeding the UK average of 19% for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 29.8% of total crimes, also far outpacing the UK average of 14%. These figures suggest a distinct local pattern, potentially influenced by the area's character as a built-up area within Hyndburn. July, a peak summer month with schools out and festivals in full swing, likely contributes to the elevated levels of public disorder and interpersonal crime. While the area's crime rate remains below the UK average, the concentration of violent and anti-social incidents indicates a need for targeted community engagement strategies. The relative absence of property crimes compared to the UK average—shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary each fell below national benchmarks—may reflect the area's limited retail presence or effective local policing initiatives. However, the seasonal context of increased outdoor activity and transient populations could also explain the higher proportion of violent crime. This data illustrates a community grappling with interpersonal tensions during peak summer months, even as broader crime prevention measures appear to be holding the line against property-related offences.

July 2024 saw several notable shifts in crime patterns across Great Harwood. Possession of weapons surged by 100% compared to June, with four incidents reported—tripling the previous month's figure. This jump coincides with the summer festival season, where increased alcohol consumption and crowd density may create conditions conducive to such offences. Public order offences also rose by 100%, with four incidents reported in July, likely linked to the area's vibrant summer event calendar. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 75%, from eight to two incidents, potentially reflecting reduced car usage during school holidays or enhanced vehicle security measures. Shoplifting rates halved from four to two incidents, aligning with the UK's overall decline in this category. The most striking comparison to national figures comes in the area of anti-social behaviour, which was 59% above the UK average. This discrepancy may stem from the built-up nature of the area, where higher population density and concentrated housing stock can amplify social friction. Bicycle theft in Great Harwood exceeded the UK average by 122%, with two incidents reported—despite the UK average being just 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly could point to unaddressed vulnerabilities in local cycle storage infrastructure or policing priorities. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the 100% increase in possession of weapons offences, which may warrant heightened vigilance during public events.

Great Harwood's July 2024 crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 5.1% increase from June's 7.3 per 1,000, marking a slight upward trend in the short term. However, this rate remains 8.3% below the UK average, placing the area in a relatively safer position nationally. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 3 crimes per day in July, a figure that provides a tangible sense of local exposure. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 130 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, while not negligible, is lower than the UK average when considering the area's built-up nature. This statistic translates to a resident having a 1 in 130 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime during July. When viewed through the lens of population size (10,955 residents), the 84 total crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the local population. The comparison to national figures becomes more nuanced when examining specific crime types: while violent crime and anti-social behaviour are significantly above UK averages, property-related offences are broadly below. This contrast may reflect the area's unique demographic profile, with fewer commercial premises to attract shoplifters and lower vehicle density to deter vehicle crime. The 5.1% monthly increase, though modest, underscores the importance of maintaining consistent policing efforts and community engagement to prevent any further upward drift in crime rates.