Heysham Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Heysham's crime rate in August 2024 stood at 7.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 13.4% below the UK average of 8.2. This figures contrasts sharply with the prominence of anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 28.3% of all crimes reported, 39% above the UK average. Violence and sexual offences (36.8% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (28.3%) formed the largest share of recorded crimes, with the former being 3% below the UK average. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—may partly explain the 180% month-on-month increase in criminal damage and arson, likely linked to increased tourism and vacant properties. Heysham's relatively low overall crime rate aligns with its status as a small built-up area within Lancaster, where community cohesion and limited urban density may contribute to lower rates of violent crime. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson highlights vulnerabilities during periods of high transient population activity, suggesting that local authorities might consider targeted patrols or community engagement during peak tourist seasons. The data also reveals that vehicle crime and burglary remain significantly below UK averages, reflecting the area's lower population density and reduced opportunities for such crimes compared to larger urban centres.

August 2024 saw stark shifts in Heysham's crime profile, with vehicle crime surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and criminal damage and arson rising by 180% (from 5 to 14). These increases contrast with a 30.2% drop in anti-social behaviour (from 43 to 30 incidents), a decline that may reflect improved community policing or seasonal factors. Anti-social behaviour remains 39% above the UK average (2.0 vs 1.4 per 1,000), a persistent outlier that could be linked to Heysham's proximity to major transport routes or transient populations. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences decreased by 17%, from 47 to 39, though they remain 3% below the UK average (2.6 vs 2.7 per 1,000). The sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, coupled with the area's seasonal context, suggests a need for closer monitoring of property-related crimes during August. Residents might also note that vehicle crime is 33% below the UK average (0.3 vs 0.5 per 1,000), reflecting lower traffic density or effective local enforcement measures.

Heysham's crime rate in August 2024 (7.1 per 1,000) marked a 7.0% decline from the previous month's rate of 7.6, indicating a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that may seem high to some residents but is contextualised by Heysham's population of 14,993. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 141 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is 13.4% lower than the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents, though crime rates are influenced by factors such as population density and local policing strategies. Compared to the UK average, Heysham's violent crime rate (2.6 per 1,000) is 3% lower, while anti-social behaviour remains 39% above the UK benchmark. These disparities highlight the area's unique characteristics, such as its smaller size and potential differences in community dynamics compared to larger urban areas. The monthly exposure figure, while useful, does not capture the full picture of how crime is distributed across different areas within Heysham or the effectiveness of local crime prevention initiatives.