Carnforth Crime Rate

Carnforth is a secure market town with a safety score of 83/100, which is notably higher than the UK average of 79. Its overall crime rate is 75.2 per 1,000 people, comfortably below the national average of 91.6. While the area has experienced a 13.1% increase in crime year-over-year, the property crime rate remains very low at just 16.0 per 1,000—less than half the UK average of 32.2. This indicates that Carnforth is a relatively safe place for homeowners and businesses alike. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types, seasonal trends, and temporal patterns to help residents stay informed and secure.

Carnforth's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 38.2% of all reports (158 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 30.7% and a tie for third between shoplifting and criminal damage and arson, each at 5.8%.

Property-related crime in Carnforth—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 16.0 per 1,000 people. This is exactly half the UK average property crime rate of 32.2, indicating a relatively secure environment for homeowners. Within this category, shoplifting is the most frequent (5.8%), followed by other theft (3.9%) and burglary (2.9%). Vehicle crime is even lower at 2.4%. For residents, the data suggests that while social order and personal offences are the main focus for local policing, the risk of serious property theft is quite low. However, the presence of shoplifting as a top-three crime type indicates that commercial areas are the primary target for theft in the settlement.

Crime in Carnforth has increased by 13.1% year-over-year. The monthly data for 2025 shows a volatile pattern, starting the year with relatively low rates of 4.7 in January and 5.6 in February. There was a steady climb through the spring and summer, peaking at 9.3 per 1,000 in October. However, this peak was followed by a sharp and encouraging decline, with the rate dropping back to 4.7 in November and 4.5 in December. This year-end improvement suggests that while the annual total is higher, the area is currently experiencing a period of increased safety as it enters 2026.

How To Keep Safe in Carnforth

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Carnforth, followed by anti-social behaviour. To enhance your safety in the town, consider the following advice:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the town centre, especially during the evening and night. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid unlit alleyways or paths near the railway station.
2. For business owners, ensure your premises are equipped with clear, proactive security. Shoplifting is a top-three crime in Carnforth, and visible deterrence is the most effective way to reduce stock loss.
3. Keep your home's exterior well-lit. Motion-activated lighting is a simple and effective way to deter both anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft.
4. If you witness anti-social behaviour, do not intervene directly. Report it to the local police via the 101 non-emergency number to help them track and manage hotspots.
5. Secure your vehicle every time you leave it, even for a few minutes. While vehicle crime is low, 32% of night-time incidents are vehicle-related, so extra care should be taken overnight.

Carnforth's crime data reveals distinct temporal patterns. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the day, accounting for 41% of morning crimes and 45% of afternoon incidents. As the day ends, the focus of crime shifts toward property and vehicles. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime surges to 32% of all recorded offences, and burglary accounts for 25%. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely commercial and opportunistic, the early morning hours present the highest risk for residential and vehicle security. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see a rise in anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which make up a significant portion of the 'other' category.

In the local regional context, Carnforth serves as a safe hub for the surrounding villages. While its crime rate of 75.2 is higher than that of its immediate neighbours like Warton (52.5) and Over Kellet (40.6), it is significantly more secure than the larger urban centres of Morecambe (146.2) and Lancaster (124.5). For residents of the smaller hamlets like Nether Kellet or Tewitfield (both 0.0), Carnforth is the primary commercial centre and, despite its higher rate, remains a safe environment for shopping and socialising. Its safety profile is typical for a town of its size and function within the Lancaster local authority.

With a property crime rate of 16.0 per 1,000, Carnforth is statistically twice as safe for property as the average UK town. However, the 13.1% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should not be complacent. In a town where shoplifting and opportunistic theft are among the top concerns, the right security approach is vital.

Traditional security systems are often reactive, providing footage of a crime only after it has been committed. For homeowners in Carnforth, a proactive approach like scOS is far more effective. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. By detecting an intruder before they reach your home, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings. This immediate response is a powerful deterrent for opportunists. In an area where burglary and vehicle crime are low but present, a visible and intelligent system like scOS ensures your home is not the "easy target," helping to maintain Carnforth's overall safety record.