Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked an unexpected spike in violent crime within Cottam (Preston), with violence and sexual offences accounting for 41.2% of all reported incidents, significantly exceeding the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This category, which saw 21 incidents, was 25% above the UK rate, a finding that stands out as the most surprising in the monthly report. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 31.4% of the total crimes, and was 166% above the UK average, highlighting a stark divergence in local patterns. Vehicle crime, though lower in overall volume, also rose sharply, reaching 0.8 per 1,000 residents—double the UK average. These trends, coupled with a 9.9% increase in the overall crime rate compared to the UK’s 7.1 per 1,000, suggest a combination of local factors. The seasonal context of December—characterised by long evenings, holiday shopping, and potentially unoccupied homes—may have influenced these patterns. The area’s built-up nature within Preston, which typically sees a mix of residential and commercial activity, could contribute to the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and vehicle-related crimes. Meanwhile, the relative underperformance in burglary compared to the UK average may reflect effective local security measures or a lower density of high-value targets. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing the disproportionate rise in violent and anti-social incidents, which appear to be driven by the unique dynamics of the festive season.

December 2024 saw a striking 100% increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 2 incidents, a shift that may reflect heightened social activity during the festive season. Vehicle crime also surged by 100%, with five incidents reported compared to zero in the previous month, a jump that could be linked to increased car usage or targeted thefts around holiday shopping. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson rose by 33.3%, from 3 to 4 cases, a trend consistent with seasonal property neglect or vandalism during the festive period. These increases contrast with a 35% reduction in burglary compared to the UK average, suggesting that residential areas may have seen less targeted activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.2% of all crimes, significantly above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, indicating a pressing concern for local safety. This data offers residents a clear snapshot of where crime has shifted, allowing for targeted awareness and community engagement.

Cottam (Preston) recorded a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents in December 2024, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 7.5 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns typical of December, when extended evenings and holiday-related activity may influence crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the month, a figure that reflects both the local population density and the specific nature of incidents reported. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 128 residents, a statistic that contextualises the frequency of crime within the community. This rate, while above the UK average, does not necessarily indicate a worsening trend but rather a fluctuation that mirrors broader seasonal shifts. The population context further highlights that, despite the increase, the absolute number of crimes (51) remains relatively low in a community of 6,533 residents, suggesting that the impact of crime is distributed across a manageable scale. These figures provide a nuanced perspective for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, its proportion within the local population remains constrained.