Carnforth Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Carnforth’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 50% below the UK average of 8.0. This marked a continued trend of relatively low crime levels for the built-up area within Lancaster, which has historically maintained rates well beneath national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all incidents (9 cases), followed by shoplifting (13.6%) and anti-social behaviour (13.6%). These figures align with Carnforth’s character as a small commuter town with limited nightlife and retail density, factors that likely contribute to the subdued levels of property crime and public order offences typically associated with larger urban centres. Seasonal patterns in May—such as longer evenings and bank holidays—may have influenced the increased frequency of outdoor drinking and socialising, which could partially explain the relatively higher proportion of violent incidents compared to other months. However, the overall crime picture remains consistent with Carnforth’s established profile as a low-crime area, where community cohesion and the town’s proximity to rural landscapes may help mitigate more severe criminal activity. The data also shows that violence in Carnforth is 42% below the UK average, a disparity that reflects both the area’s demographic makeup and its geographical context as a non-urban hub.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in shoplifting, which surged by 100% from zero to three incidents in May. This spike coincided with the Easter bank holiday period, which may have disrupted usual retail patterns and created opportunities for opportunistic theft. Similarly, vehicle crime and bicycle theft each saw a 100% increase from zero to one incident, though these small numbers remain well below UK averages for their respective categories (0.5 and 0.1 per 1,000). In contrast, criminal damage and arson fell by 60% compared to April, a decline that may be linked to seasonal changes in outdoor activity or increased community monitoring during the spring. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 57.1%, due to the same factors influencing the reduction in criminal damage. Violence and sexual offences in Carnforth remain 42% below the UK average, a gap that persists despite the 100% increase in shoplifting. This divergence underscores the area’s unique crime profile, where personal safety appears to be prioritised over property-related incidents. For residents, the data suggests that while shoplifting risks have risen, the overall environment remains safer than the national average, particularly for violent crimes.

Carnforth’s crime rate in May 2023 (4.0 per 1,000) marked a 31.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern of reduced criminal activity as the Easter holiday period waned and normal routines resumed. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day in May, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 5,508 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 250 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic illustrates the relative safety of Carnforth compared to larger urban areas, where crime rates are typically much higher. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the impact of local factors: for instance, the absence of a major retail hub or nightlife district may explain why property crime remains low. While the 100% increase in shoplifting raises concerns, it is still a minor blip in an otherwise stable crime environment. Residents can take comfort in knowing that, despite the rise in certain categories, Carnforth continues to maintain a crime profile that is markedly safer than the national average, particularly when considering the area’s demographic and geographic characteristics.