Great Harwood Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of approximately 11,000 residents, the 97 crimes recorded in April 2025 translate to roughly one reported incident for every 113 people. This rate of 8.9 crimes per 1,000 residents places Great Harwood 15.6% above the UK average of 7.7, reflecting a pattern seen in many smaller built-up areas where community policing resources are stretched. The most prevalent crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 38.1% of all reports (37 incidents), a figure that is 156% higher than the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000. This may partly explain the town's elevated overall rate, as anti-social behaviour often cascades into other categories like public order offences (6 incidents) and violence (31 incidents). The spring season appears to amplify these trends, with Easter-related events and increased outdoor activity likely contributing to higher levels of public disorder. While violent crime (2.8 per 1,000) is only 7% above the UK average, the stark contrast with shoplifting (39% below the national rate) suggests that local retail environments may be more secure than typical, due to targeted policing in high-footfall areas. The data highlights a combination of community dynamics and seasonal factors, with April's weather patterns—mild temperatures and extended daylight—influencing both crime types and reporting behaviour.

April saw dramatic shifts in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime plummeting by 76.5% (from 17 to 4 incidents) and burglary falling by 75% (from 4 to 1). These decreases may reflect targeted interventions during Easter, when local authorities often increase patrols in car parks and residential areas. Conversely, other crime surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 incidents—a spike that includes categories like vandalism and non-violent theft. Robbery also doubled, with one incident reported in April compared to none in March, though this remains a rare occurrence given the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. The most striking disparity from national trends is anti-social behaviour, which remains 156% above the UK average. This could be linked to the town's built-up character, where dense housing and shared community spaces may amplify noise complaints and unruly conduct. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates (39% below UK levels) suggest that local retailers may have implemented effective security measures, such as CCTV or staff training, to deter theft during the Easter shopping period. The overall balance between property and violent crime also shifted, with violent offences comprising 32% of all reports—slightly higher than the UK average of 29%—indicating a need for continued focus on community-based violence prevention strategies.

The crime rate in April 2025 (8.9 per 1,000) marked a significant decline from March's 11.4 per 1,000, representing a 22.4% reduction. This drop aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as the transition from winter to spring often sees decreased indoor activity and increased police visibility during Easter. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that may seem high to residents but is contextually comparable to other similar-sized built-up areas. Over the course of the month, the 1-in-113 resident ratio for reported crimes underscores the importance of community engagement in crime prevention. For perspective, this equates to roughly one incident occurring for every 113 people in the town, a rate that would be expected to fluctuate with local events. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while Great Harwood's rate is above the UK average, the absolute number of crimes (97) is manageable for a town of its size. This suggests that targeted policing efforts, combined with community awareness initiatives, may be effectively mitigating risks despite the elevated rate. The contrast with the previous month's figures also highlights the potential influence of temporary factors—such as Easter-related events or changes in police resource allocation—that can significantly impact monthly crime statistics.