Great Harwood Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Great Harwood’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 9.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 36.8% increase over the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This disparity reflects a combination of local factors, with violent crimes forming the most significant portion of the total, accounting for 42.2% of reported incidents. The dominance of violence and sexual offences, which were 56% above the UK average, suggests a pressing need for community-focused interventions in areas where such crimes are concentrated. Anti-social behaviour also emerged as a major concern, contributing 18.6% of all crimes and surpassing the UK average by 83%. These figures may be influenced by the area’s character as a built-up town within Hyndburn, where social interactions in public spaces could amplify such incidents. Seasonal context further shapes these patterns, as January’s post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail activity, which may explain the 40% drop in shoplifting compared to December. However, this decrease does not offset the broader trend of elevated crime rates, particularly in violent and anti-social categories. The data highlights a need for tailored strategies that address both the immediate concerns of residents and the underlying factors driving these statistics.

January 2026 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with some categories declining sharply while others surged. Theft from the person rose by 100%, jumping from 0 to 2 incidents, a spike that may reflect increased foot traffic in specific areas or heightened vulnerability during colder weather. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 40% compared to December, aligning with the seasonal context of reduced retail footfall and shorter days. This decrease is particularly notable given that shoplifting rates in Great Harwood were already 47% below the UK average, suggesting a unique local dynamic that may involve retail security measures or community awareness. Meanwhile, other crime and burglary both increased by 100% and 33.3% respectively, highlighting growing concerns in unclassified criminal activities and residential security. These shifts underscore the need for targeted policing strategies, as the town’s violent crime rate remains 56% above the UK average for violence and sexual offences, a persistent challenge that demands sustained attention.

Great Harwood’s crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December 2025, with a -1.9% decrease from 9.5 to 9.3 per 1,000 residents. This minor shift suggests little change in overall criminal activity, though local patterns may still reflect seasonal rhythms. On average, 3 crimes were reported daily in January, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 107 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is a local metric without a UK-wide equivalent, it provides context for residents on the likelihood of encountering crime in their community. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, despite the area’s elevated rate compared to the UK average, the absolute number of crimes (102) remains relatively low given the town’s population of 10,955. This balance between rate and scale underscores the need for targeted interventions rather than broad generalisations about public safety.