Carnforth Crime Rate

Carnforth is a safe and well-connected urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 77.5 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7. The area maintains a strong safety score of 82/100, placing it above the UK average of 79/100. However, it is important to note that crime in Carnforth has seen an upward trend, increasing by 22.7% year-over-year. As a historic town with a busy railway station and a mix of residential and commercial areas, the safety profile is influenced by both local activity and transport footfall. Understanding these trends and the specific breakdown of crime types is essential for residents to maintain their security. The following data provides a detailed analysis of the safety landscape in Carnforth.

Carnforth's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, making up 37.0% of all reports (28.7 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour follows at 32.3%, while criminal damage and arson account for 5.8%.

Property crime in Carnforth, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, has a combined rate of 16.9 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Within this category, shoplifting is the most prevalent at 5.6%, followed by "other theft" (4.0%) and burglary (3.3%). For residents of this historic railway town, these figures suggest that while personal safety and nuisance crimes are the primary areas for vigilance, the risk of serious property-related offences is relatively low compared to larger urban centres. However, with an increasing trend in crime, maintaining solid home and business security remains a wise precaution.

The crime trend in Carnforth is currently increasing, with a 22.7% rise year-over-year. This suggests that the area is experiencing a period of higher criminal activity than in the previous twelve months. Examining the monthly data for 2025, we see a fluctuating pattern throughout the year. The crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 6.9 in December 2024 and reached a peak of 9.3 in October 2025.

There were also notable peaks in June (8.7) and July (7.8), which may correspond with increased seasonal activity. Encouragingly, the rate dropped back down to 4.7 in November 2025. While the annual increase is a reason for residents to be more vigilant, the volatility in the monthly figures suggests that crime is not consistently rising but rather occurring in specific surges. Residents should continue to monitor local safety updates and maintain robust security measures to protect themselves and their property.

How To Keep Safe in Carnforth

Violence and sexual offences represent the highest proportion of reported crime in Carnforth. While the area is generally safe, taking proactive steps for personal safety is always recommended:

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When walking through the town, especially near the railway station or busier commercial streets, stay alert. Avoid distractions like mobile phones or headphones, particularly after dark.
• Stick to Well-Lit Paths: Carnforth has many pleasant residential and canal-side walks. Stick to those that are well-lit and frequently used by others during evening hours.
• Secure Your Home Entry Points: Ensure that all doors and windows are locked, even when you are at home. Opportunistic crimes can be deterred by simply making access more difficult.
• Report Concerns Early: If you notice suspicious activity or feel unsafe in a particular part of the community, report it to the local police. Your information helps them target patrols effectively.
• Join a Local Watch Group: Engaging with your neighbours through a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is an excellent way to stay informed and collectively improve the safety of your street.

Crime in Carnforth follows distinct temporal patterns. During the day (6am - 6pm), theft-related offences are most common, peaking at 44% in the afternoon. This aligns with typical patterns of opportunistic theft in residential and commercial areas during working and shopping hours.

As the day transitions into evening (6pm - 12am), there is a significant spike in the "Other" category, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rising to 49% of all incidents. This period reflects the social activity in the town's pubs and public spaces. The night-time period (12am - 6am) presents a different risk profile. While the overall volume of crime is lower, vehicle crime reaches its highest proportion, accounting for 32% of incidents during these hours. Burglary also remains a significant concern at 25%. This suggests that for Carnforth residents, securing vehicles and homes overnight should be the primary safety priority to mitigate these specific risks.

Carnforth offers a much safer environment than the larger nearby hubs of Morecambe (144.3) and Lancaster (126.6). This makes it an attractive residential choice for those who want easy access to these centres while living in a more secure town. However, when compared to its immediate smaller neighbours, Carnforth is more active; Warton (50.3) and Over Kellet (41.5) report lower crime rates. For those seeking the most tranquil environment, very small villages like Nether Kellet and Tewitfield report near-zero crime. This comparison shows that while Carnforth is safer than the major local hubs, it still requires a level of vigilance typical for a medium-sized town.

In Carnforth, where the property crime rate is 16.9 per 1,000, residents enjoy a lower risk of theft than many other areas. However, with crime trends currently increasing by 22.7%, it is wise to consider a more robust approach to home security. Traditional CCTV systems often fail because they are reactive; they record the person stealing your property but do nothing to prevent it at the time.

The scOS AI-powered security system provides proactive protection by identifying threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can distinguish between a family member and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, the system can trigger autonomous responses like activating lights or audio deterrents, stopping a crime before it even begins. For Carnforth homeowners, this means destroying the element of surprise that criminals rely on. By verifying vehicles and learning daily routines, scOS offers a sophisticated, professional-grade security solution that moves beyond simple recording to active prevention, ensuring your home remains a safe haven.