Carnforth Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a slight increase in Carnforth's overall crime rate, which stood at 6.7 per 1,000 residents — 4.7% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This small urban area within Lancaster saw a distinct crime profile, with violence and sexual offences making up the largest share of reported incidents (40.5%), followed by anti-social behaviour (21.6%) and criminal damage and arson (16.2%). The seasonal context of February, a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, likely contributes to patterns observed in the data. While violence and sexual offences remain a concern, their rate (2.7 per 1,000) is 16% above the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted community interventions. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.5 per 1,000, is 65% above the UK average, which may reflect the area's mix of residential and commercial spaces, where unmonitored public areas could amplify such incidents. Criminal damage and arson, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 139% above the UK average — an anomaly that may point to specific local factors, such as the presence of older infrastructure or transient populations. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime were both below UK averages, with shoplifting at 0.4 per 1,000 (31% below the UK rate) and vehicle crime at 0.2 per 1,000 (43% below). This contrast may indicate that Carnforth's retail environment is less vulnerable to petty theft, though the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson requires further investigation. The winter season, with its colder temperatures and reduced visibility, may also influence the timing of such crimes, as outdoor activities diminish and indoor spaces become more isolated. Overall, the data illustrates a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the built environment, all of which shape Carnforth's crime picture in February.

February 2026 saw significant fluctuations in Carnforth's crime profile. Criminal damage and arson surged by 200% compared to January, rising from 2 to 6 incidents — a sharp spike that may indicate targeted vandalism or a response to local tensions. Simultaneously, shoplifting doubled from 0 to 2 cases, suggesting either a seasonal shift in retail crime patterns or a targeted effort by offenders. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 60%, climbing from 5 to 8 incidents, which could reflect the impact of colder weather on community interactions or unaddressed nuisance complaints. In contrast, vehicle crime plummeted by 66.7%, falling from 3 to 1 case — a drop that may align with reduced car usage in winter or improved vehicle security measures. Public order offences also declined by 60%, from 5 to 2 cases, linked to the low outdoor activity typical of February. Other crime fell by 50%, from 2 to 1 case, though this category's narrow scope makes interpretation challenging. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, at 15 cases (40.5% of all crimes), with their rate (2.7 per 1,000) 16% above the UK average. This disparity suggests that Carnforth's crime profile differs from the national trend, with local factors likely playing a role. For residents, the rise in criminal damage and arson may warrant closer attention to community safety initiatives or local property maintenance efforts.

Carnforth's crime rate in February 2026 (6.7 per 1,000) represented a 5.1% decrease from January's 7.1 per 1,000, indicating a modest improvement in safety over the past month. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day — a figure that, while low, still reflects the presence of crime in a built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 149 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when considered alongside the population of 5,508, highlights the relatively small scale of incidents in this community. Comparing these figures to the UK average, Carnforth's overall rate (6.7) is 4.7% higher, but the decline from January suggests a possible stabilization in crime trends. The drop in vehicle crime and public order offences may have contributed to this reduction, though the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson complicates the picture. For context, the area's population size means that even a small number of crimes can have a noticeable impact on the rate. While the daily crime count (1 per day) may seem negligible, the concentration of certain crime types — such as anti-social behaviour and violence — underscores the need for localized strategies. Carnforth's crime profile, with its unique combination of above-average violent crime and below-average property crime, contrasts with the UK average, suggesting that the area's social and environmental factors require tailored approaches to crime prevention.