Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour in Cottam (Preston) surged to 5.4 per 1,000 residents in July 2024, marking a 272% increase above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. This anomaly underscores a significant deviation from national trends and highlights a pressing local issue. The overall crime rate for the area in July stood at 10.6 per 1,000, 26.2% higher than the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a combination of local factors. The most prevalent crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 50.7% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (20.3%) and shoplifting (7.3%). These figures align with the seasonal context of July, a month marked by peak summer activity, school holidays, and an influx of tourists. The combination of festivals, outdoor events, and increased foot traffic in public spaces may contribute to the heightened anti-social behaviour and shoplifting rates. However, the relatively low incidence of violent crime—2.1 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000—suggests that local initiatives or community cohesion may play a mitigating role. This data illustrates an area grappling with specific challenges, particularly in managing public order during the summer months, while maintaining a lower rate of more severe crimes.

July 2024 marked a sharp increase in vehicle crime, which tripled from 1 to 4 incidents, and shoplifting, which rose by 150% from 2 to 5. These jumps may be linked to summer tourism and outdoor events, which can draw transient populations and increase opportunities for theft. Public order offences also doubled from 0 to 2, a change that may reflect the challenges of managing crowds during festivals or other large gatherings. In contrast, criminal damage and arson fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), and burglary dropped by 75% (from 4 to 1), due to increased police presence or community initiatives during the summer. Anti-social behaviour, the most common category, remains 272% above the UK average, a stark outlier that may indicate persistent issues in local social dynamics. For residents, the 2 crimes per day figure offers a tangible benchmark for understanding local crime frequency.

Cottam (Preston) saw a 13.1% rise in its crime rate from 9.3 per 1,000 in June to 10.6 per 1,000 in July 2024, reflecting a continued upward trend. This increase contrasts with the UK average, which remains lower at 8.4 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly crime rate translates to approximately 2 crimes reported each day, a figure that may appear significant given the area’s population of 6,533. Over the course of July, one crime was reported for roughly every 95 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents within a relatively small community. This monthly exposure rate underscores the need for sustained community engagement and policing strategies. The population context reveals that while the overall rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes remains manageable, suggesting that targeted interventions could yield measurable improvements. The shift in crime mix, particularly the surge in anti-social behaviour, may indicate seasonal pressures linked to summer events and festivals, which could be addressed through local partnerships.