Oswaldtwistle Crime Rate

Oswaldtwistle has an overall crime rate of 124.9 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 93.1. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 71/100, indicating a level of security that, while below the national average of 78, is consistent with many urban settlements in Lancashire. The recent trend direction for Oswaldtwistle is stable, showing a minor 3.3% increase year-over-year. This stability suggests that while crime is a factor, the area is not experiencing the rapid fluctuations seen in some neighbouring towns. For residents, this context provides a predictable safety environment where the focus remains on addressing persistent issues like anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.

In Oswaldtwistle, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.8% of all reported incidents (395 crimes). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 33.3% (367 crimes), followed by vehicle crime at 5.4%. When looking at property crime as a whole—including burglary, theft, shoplifting, and vehicle crime—the rate is 29.3 per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9, suggesting that Oswaldtwistle is relatively secure against theft-related offences. However, vehicle crime and shoplifting (4.7%) remain notable concerns. For residents and homeowners, this means that while the risk of burglary is relatively low (3.4%), the impacts of anti-social behaviour and vehicle-related theft are more prominent. Protecting property boundaries and ensuring vehicles are securely parked are key steps in mitigating these local risks.

Oswaldtwistle's crime trend is currently stable, with only a 3.3% increase in total incidents over the last year. Monthly data shows a significant peak in March 2025, where the crime rate jumped to 14.0 per 1,000 residents, followed by elevated levels in April (11.8) and August (12.1). However, months like February 2025 (7.4) and December 2024 (8.0) recorded much lower activity. This stability suggests that while there are seasonal fluctuations, the overall crime environment remains consistent. For residents, this means that the area's safety profile is not rapidly deteriorating, but the presence of high-activity months highlights the need for continued vigilance and consistent property security throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Oswaldtwistle

The highest crime category in Oswaldtwistle is violence and sexual offences. To enhance personal safety, try to stay in well-lit, busy areas when walking after dark and avoid isolated shortcuts. For homeowners, anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue; ensuring your property has clear boundaries and visible security can discourage loitering and nuisance activity. To protect against vehicle crime—the third most significant local issue—always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables, even hidden ones, inside. Burglary is most common in the afternoon, so if you are out during the day, consider using timer switches for your lights to create the appearance of someone being home. Finally, joining a local neighbourhood watch or safety group can help you stay informed about any emerging crime patterns in your specific part of Oswaldtwistle.

Crime in Oswaldtwistle follows a distinct temporal pattern. The morning period (6am-12pm) is characterised by theft, which accounts for 35% of reports. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), with theft rising to 40% and burglary reaching its daily peak of 27%. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, become the most frequent at 40%. The most notable shift occurs at night (12am-6am), when vehicle crime surges to account for 49% of all incidents. This suggests that while properties are most vulnerable to burglary during the day when residents may be at work, vehicles are at the highest risk during the early hours of the morning. Taking extra precautions during these specific windows can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of local crime.

Oswaldtwistle is part of a cluster of Lancashire towns with varying crime profiles. Its crime rate of 124.9 is very similar to that of Rishton (121.7) and Great Harwood (121.9). It is notably safer than larger nearby hubs like Accrington (161.8) or Church (157.6), which experience significantly higher levels of reported incidents. Conversely, Clayton-le-Moors offers a slightly lower crime rate of 109.0. This regional context shows that Oswaldtwistle sits in the middle of the safety spectrum for the local authority, offering a more residential feel than the larger towns while being more active than the smaller surrounding villages.

In Oswaldtwistle, where property crime stands at 29.3 per 1,000, residents should be aware of the limitations of traditional CCTV. Most standard systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, but they do nothing to stop it. To truly secure your property, a shift toward proactive protection is necessary. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that monitors your property boundary in real-time. Unlike DIY cameras that alert you after a window is broken, scOS detects threats before they reach your home. By using autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings—scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars and car thieves rely on. In an area where vehicle crime accounts for nearly half of night-time incidents, having a system that can verify number plates and identify suspicious patterns provides a level of security that traditional recording simply cannot match. Proactive detection is the most effective way to prevent crime before it happens.