Prescot Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Prescot’s crime profile in January 2024 was defined by a stark dominance of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for nearly half of all reported crimes. At 7.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s overall crime rate was 2.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, a slight but notable deviation. The violence category’s 3.4 per 1,000 rate—31% above the UK average—suggests localised factors may be influencing this trend. These could include seasonal dynamics, such as reduced social engagement during colder weather, or the area’s position within Knowsley’s broader urban framework, which may see higher concentrations of certain criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences also stood out, with public order incidents 46% above the UK average. This may be linked to Prescot’s built-up character, where community spaces and public areas could see higher levels of disorder-related incidents. Seasonal context further shapes the picture: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail activity align with lower rates of shoplifting and vehicle crime, which fell by 50% and 62.5% respectively compared to December. However, the rise in burglary and bicycle theft—both of which saw 100% increases—hints at shifting opportunities for property crime, tied to colder weather and altered patterns of movement. These trends underscore the combination of environmental factors, community dynamics, and crime prevention efforts in Prescot’s built-up area.

Violence and sexual offences dominated Prescot’s crime profile in January, accounting for 46.9% of all reported crimes and significantly outpacing the UK average by 31%. This category’s elevated rate may reflect seasonal dynamics, such as post-holiday tensions or reduced social activity in colder weather. Meanwhile, burglary saw a 100% increase from the previous month, with incidents rising from 4 to 8. This spike, though small in absolute terms, could indicate targeted activity in residential areas during January’s shorter daylight hours. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime both declined sharply—shoplifting fell by 50% and vehicle crime dropped by 62.5%—linked to reduced retail footfall and fewer opportunities for vehicle-related crimes during the post-holiday period. The drugs category, which was 138% above the UK average, saw a 37.5% decrease from December, suggesting fluctuating patterns in illicit activity.

Prescot's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 2.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 7.0 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, aligns with patterns observed in built-up areas during winter months, when reduced daylight and colder weather may contribute to shifts in criminal activity. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 9 incidents per day over the 31-day period, highlighting a consistent presence of crime across the month. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure figure indicates that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 139 residents. This metric provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it should be contextualised within Prescot's specific demographics and geography. The built-up area’s proximity to Knowsley’s urban core likely influences crime patterns, with localised factors such as foot traffic and community engagement playing roles in both crime prevention and reporting rates.