Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Cottam (Preston)'s crime profile in May 2023, accounting for 37.5% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 23.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This lower rate aligns with the built-up area's relatively small population (6,533 residents) and its position within Preston, a city with historically lower crime concentrations compared to major urban centres. The most common crime type, violence and sexual offences (15 cases), is 17% below the UK average for this category, consistent with the area's character as a residential suburb with limited nightlife or commercial density. Anti-social behaviour follows closely (14 cases), though this category is 58% above the UK average, suggesting localised pressures in community spaces. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contribute to the prominence of violent and anti-social incidents, as these patterns often correlate with higher foot traffic and alcohol consumption in public areas. The relatively low rates of property crime (7 cases, 17.5% of total) and vehicle crime (1 case, 2.5% of total) indicate that the area's built-up nature and proximity to Preston's broader infrastructure may reduce opportunities for such crimes compared to more isolated or rural settings.

May 2023 saw a 200% surge in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 3 cases—a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal tensions or targeted vandalism during extended daylight hours. Other crime and public order offences each doubled from the previous month, highlighting shifts in criminal activity that could be tied to May's bank holidays and increased socialising. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 50%, due to reduced car theft opportunities as residents stay home more during the month's public holidays. Violence and sexual offences, while still the largest single category, declined by 11.8% (17 to 15 cases), though they remain 17% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour remains 58% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect localised factors such as the area's proximity to Preston's main thoroughfares or community dynamics. Residents may find the 23.8% UK comparison figure particularly relevant, as it underscores Cottam's consistently safer profile relative to national trends, despite the spikes in specific categories.

Cottam's crime rate in May 2023 (6.1 per 1,000) represents an 11.1% increase from the previous month's 5.5 per 1,000, marking a slight upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day in May, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 163 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, where the equivalent figure would likely be closer to 1 in 100 residents. This population-scaled perspective reinforces the area's safety profile, even as specific categories like anti-social behaviour exceed national averages. The 6.1 per 1,000 rate, while a rise from April, still places Cottam in the lower quartile of UK built-up areas, reflecting its smaller size, residential character, and integration within Preston's broader infrastructure. These factors likely limit the scale of crime compared to larger urban centres, where higher population densities and commercial activity typically correlate with elevated rates.