Great Harwood Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The balance between property and violent crime in Great Harwood during November 2024 reveals a striking contrast in criminal activity patterns. Violent crimes, which accounted for 38.5% of all reported incidents, outpaced property crimes (30 incidents) by a margin that may partly explain the area's 15.8% elevation above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This disparity is most evident in the dominance of violence and sexual offences, which occurred at 3.4 per 1,000—32% above the UK average. The seasonal context of November, marked by the darkening evenings and the proximity of Bonfire Night, likely contributes to this pattern. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category at 2.2 per 1,000, was 98% above the UK average, suggesting heightened community tensions or disruptions during the month. The relatively low levels of shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000), both below UK averages, may indicate effective local measures or seasonal retail dynamics. However, the sharp rise in violent crime contrasts with the decline in burglary (down 25%) and other theft (down 37.5%), which could reflect shifting criminal priorities or resource allocation. The interplay of these factors paints a complex picture of a built-up area grappling with persistent violent crime while experiencing some mitigation in property-related offences.

The month-on-month changes in November 2024 highlight both troubling and encouraging trends. Robbery incidents surged by 100%, rising from zero to one reported case—a stark anomaly that may signal targeted activity or reporting improvements. Concurrently, shoplifting increased by 75% (from four to seven incidents), though this remains below the UK average. These figures contrast sharply with the 77.8% drop in vehicle crime, which fell from nine to two incidents, potentially reflecting seasonal changes in car usage or increased security measures. The decline in other theft (37.5%) and burglary (25%) suggests a possible shift in criminal focus. Violent crime's 32% above-UK-average rate (3.4 per 1,000) stands in stark relief to the 93% above UK average for criminal damage and arson (1.1 per 1,000), indicating a dual challenge in addressing both interpersonal and property-related violence. For residents, the 15.8% elevation in overall crime rate compared to the UK average is a concrete figure that underscores the area's unique challenges, particularly in managing violent incidents during the darker evenings of November.

The November 2024 crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 marks a 13.5% decline from the previous month's rate of 10.1 per 1,000, illustrating a modest but measurable reduction in overall criminal activity. This decrease translates to roughly three crimes reported per day on average, a figure that, while seemingly low, still represents a significant burden for a community of 10,955 residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 114 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while lower than some areas, remains a tangible concern for local households. The comparison to the UK average underscores the area's distinct position: while violent crime remains high, property-related offences such as shoplifting and vehicle crime fall below national norms. This divergence may reflect the built-up nature of Great Harwood, where concentrated populations and commercial activity could foster both opportunities for violent crime and targeted interventions in property offences. The fluctuation in crime rates between months also highlights the influence of seasonal factors—such as the shorter daylight hours in November—on criminal behaviour, suggesting that future months may see further shifts as daylight patterns change.