Bolton-le-Sands Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bolton-le-Sands maintained a markedly lower crime rate in October 2023, recording 2.2 crimes per 1,000 residents—72.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure, the lowest in the built-up area’s recorded history, reflects a persistent trend of low criminal activity despite seasonal shifts. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (31.3% of total incidents), shoplifting (25.0%), and vehicle crime (12.5%), though the latter two categories saw significant reductions compared to the UK average. Violence and sexual offences, while the largest single category, were 74% below the national rate, a discrepancy that may be attributed to the area’s smaller population and lower density of nightlife venues. The seasonal context of October—shorter days and the Halloween period—likely contributed to some fluctuations. The area’s crime profile, dominated by property-related offences and limited violent crime, aligns with its status as a low-density built-up area within Lancaster, where community cohesion and limited urban sprawl may help deter criminal activity. This pattern contrasts with larger cities, where higher population concentrations and commercial activity often correlate with elevated crime rates. The low level of violent crime, combined with the absence of significant spikes in property offences, suggests that local initiatives or environmental factors may be sustaining this trend, though further analysis would be required to confirm this hypothesis.

October 2023 saw notable decreases in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 60% from 5 to 2 incidents, and a 16.7% reduction in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 6 to 5. These declines contrast with increases in vehicle crime, burglary, and other theft, each doubling from zero to one or two incidents. While shoplifting remained slightly above the UK average (0.6 vs 0.6 per 1,000), violent crime rates were 74% below the national average (0.7 vs 2.7 per 1,000). The sharp rise in vehicle crime—doubling to two incidents—may be linked to seasonal factors, such as darker evenings and increased travel during the Halloween period. Residents may find the 72.5% reduction in overall crime compared to the UK average particularly noteworthy, as it positions Bolton-le-Sands as a comparatively safe area despite the month-on-month fluctuations.

Bolton-le-Sands’ crime rate in October 2023 rose by 14.1% from the previous month, moving from 1.9 to 2.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, highlights a shift in local patterns despite the area remaining significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported each day in October, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 7,334 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 458 residents, illustrating the sparse distribution of incidents across the built-up area. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, this rate underscores the relative safety of the area compared to larger urban centres, where higher population densities often correlate with more frequent crime reporting. The increase in October may be attributed to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween, though this remains speculative without further data.