Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Cottam (Preston) during March 2023 reveals a distinct emphasis on violent and anti-social incidents, which contrasts with the UK average. With a total crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents — 39.5% below the UK average of 7.6 — the area demonstrates a relatively low level of criminal activity. However, the breakdown of crime types highlights a significant portion of violent crimes, accounting for 46.7% of all reported incidents. This is higher than the proportion of property crimes, which made up just 20% (6 out of 30 total crimes). The most common category, violence and sexual offences (14 cases), occurs at a rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 23% below the UK average. This suggests a potential imbalance in the local crime profile, where interpersonal conflicts and assaults may play a larger role than property-related offences. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category (8 cases), occurs at a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents, 15% above the UK average. This could indicate community-specific challenges, such as higher levels of public disturbances or disputes in shared spaces. Seasonal factors may also influence these patterns, as March marks the transition to spring. Longer evenings and the end of winter may shift activity patterns, increasing opportunities for anti-social behaviour or violent incidents in public areas. However, the overall low crime rate suggests that the area remains safer than the national average, though targeted interventions may be needed to address the overrepresentation of violent and anti-social crimes.

March 2023 data shows a clear divergence in crime types compared to the UK average, with violent crimes dominating the local profile. Violence and sexual offences (14 cases) account for nearly half of all reported crimes, a stark contrast to the UK average where this category represents only 23% of all crimes. This suggests a local dynamic where interpersonal conflicts or assaults are more prevalent. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (8 cases) occurs at a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents — 15% above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000 — which may point to community-specific stressors or challenges in managing public spaces. The category of possession of weapons (1 case) is particularly notable, with a rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents — 186% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly could indicate either a rare but significant incident or a local trend warranting closer attention. In contrast, property crimes (6 cases) are significantly underrepresented, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents — 35% below the UK average for this category. This may reflect the area’s character, where residential density or community cohesion reduces opportunities for burglary or theft. Residents may find the high proportion of violent crimes particularly relevant, as it underscores the need for targeted safety measures in public spaces or community engagement initiatives.

Cottam (Preston) recorded 30 crimes in March 2023, equating to approximately 1 crime per day across the built-up area’s population of 6,533 residents. This daily frequency places the area well below the UK average, which typically sees higher crime rates in comparable urban settings. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 218 residents — a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low risk of personal involvement in crime compared to national benchmarks. However, the population-scaled perspective reveals disparities in crime types: while the overall rate is 39.5% below the UK average, specific categories like anti-social behaviour and weapons possession are significantly overrepresented. This highlights the importance of context in interpreting statistics; even in a low-crime area, certain issues may demand focused attention. The 1-in-218 figure, though low, must be understood alongside the local crime mix, where violent incidents and anti-social behaviour are high. For residents, this means that while the likelihood of encountering crime is low, the nature of incidents may differ from the UK average, with a stronger emphasis on interpersonal conflicts and public order issues. The area’s relatively safe environment, as indicated by the daily crime count, contrasts with the need for targeted strategies to address the overrepresentation of violent and anti-social crimes.