Great Harwood Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

May 2025 marked a sharp shift in Great Harwood’s crime profile, with criminal damage and arson surging by 180% to 14 incidents, the most unexpected and dramatic movement in the area’s monthly data. This spike, which far outpaced the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), contrasts with the area’s usual patterns, where property crimes historically dominate. The overall crime rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residents—37% above the UK average—reflects a broader trend of rising violence and anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.9% of all crimes (45 incidents), significantly above the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour (35 incidents, 28.7%) was 125% above the UK rate. These figures align with May’s seasonal context: longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising may have contributed to higher levels of alcohol-fuelled disputes and public disorder. The area’s proximity to industrial zones and its role as a commuter hub likely play a role in property crime trends, though the unexpected rise in criminal damage and arson suggests other factors, such as targeted vandalism or environmental issues, may be at play. While shoplifting remained 10% below the UK average, the overall imbalance between violent and property crimes indicates a need for tailored policing strategies. The data underscores the importance of addressing both immediate spikes and underlying patterns to ensure public safety.

The most striking change in May 2025 was the 180% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 5 to 14 incidents. This jump, though not reflected in UK averages (0.6 per 1,000), contrasts sharply with the 32% rise in other theft (3 to 8) and the 100% increase in burglary (1 to 2). These spikes may be linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity, which could heighten opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 5.4% (37 to 35), and public order offences dropped by 33.3% (6 to 4), suggesting some success in addressing disruptive behaviour. Shoplifting remained 10% below the UK average (0.6 vs 0.7 per 1,000), indicating a potential local trend in retail crime prevention. For residents, the 180% rise in criminal damage and arson is a key data point to monitor, as it highlights a specific vulnerability in the area’s crime profile.

Great Harwood’s crime rate in May 2025 rose to 11.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 25.9% increase from 8.9 per 1,000 in April. This places the area significantly above the UK average, which remains at 8.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, approximately four crimes were reported each day in May, reflecting a steady local rhythm of activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 90 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents in a community of around 11,000 people. While the daily figure is a local metric, the monthly exposure rate provides context for residents: a resident has a 1-in-90 chance of being directly affected by a crime during the month. This statistic, though not directly comparable to UK-wide data, highlights the need for local awareness and community engagement in addressing rising trends.