Barrowford Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Barrowford's crime profile in May 2023 reveals a combination of seasonal and local factors. The area's overall crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents places it 31.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a position consistent with its historical trend of lower-than-average crime levels. Violence and sexual offences (11 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (8 incidents) dominate the monthly breakdown, accounting for 52.8% of all recorded crimes. These patterns align with the area's character as a small built-up community within Pendle, where social interactions in public spaces may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violence and anti-social behaviour observed this month. Meanwhile, property crimes remain relatively low, with burglary and vehicle crime both below UK averages by over 30%. This suggests a community with fewer opportunities for opportunistic theft, possibly due to lower population density or stronger community policing efforts. The data shows no clear seasonal spikes in property crime, unlike violent crime, which often sees increases during warmer months. Residents should remain vigilant in public spaces, particularly during evenings, while the continued low levels of property crime indicate an environment where personal safety remains a priority. The area's overall safety profile appears robust, though the rise in 'other crime' categories deserves closer attention.

May 2023 saw a sharp 200% increase in 'other crime' incidents, rising from 1 to 3 cases—a significant jump that outpaces all other categories. This surge includes new reports of drugs and shoplifting, both of which doubled from zero to one incident each. These increases, while statistically notable, remain below UK averages for drugs (59% below) and shoplifting (59% below). The category's sudden emergence may reflect underreporting in previous months or shifting patterns in criminal activity. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime both declined by 50% and 33.3% respectively, suggesting improved security measures or reduced opportunities for these crimes. Anti-social behaviour, though still the second most common category, remained 10% below the UK average, indicating that community policing efforts may be effectively addressing disturbances. The data also highlights a stark contrast between violent crime and property crime: while violence and sexual offences (30.6% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (22.2%) dominate, property crimes collectively account for just 33.3% of the total. This balance suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts and disorder are more prevalent than theft-related crimes. For residents, the most immediate concern is the rise in 'other crime', which includes categories like fraud or cybercrime that may not be immediately visible to the public. Local authorities should consider targeted awareness campaigns to address this emerging trend.

Barrowford's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 2.8% compared to April's 5.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a slight upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. This increase translates to 1 reported crime per day on average, a figure that, when contextualised with the area's population of 6,609, means one resident in every 184 experienced a crime over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one resident in every 125 affected annually. The change in rate, while modest, is notable in a community that has historically maintained low crime levels. Daily crime counts provide a useful benchmark for residents: for instance, if a local shop experiences a burglary, it would be statistically unusual given the area's overall profile. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates Barrowford's safety: with 36 crimes reported across 6,609 residents, the likelihood of any individual being directly affected is relatively low. However, the 2.8% increase from April suggests that local factors—such as the seasonal shift toward longer evenings—may be temporarily influencing crime patterns. This data should be interpreted with caution, as the small absolute numbers can lead to larger percentage changes. Residents should remain aware that while the overall environment remains safe, the slight upward trend in crime rates may indicate the need for continued vigilance in public spaces.