Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The balance of crime types in Cottam (Preston) during March 2024 reveals a distinct profile shaped by local dynamics and seasonal influences. With a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000, the area recorded 18.2% fewer incidents than the UK average, a figure that underscores its relatively low overall crime levels. However, the distribution of crime types tells a more nuanced story. Anti-social behaviour dominated, accounting for 34.2% of all reported crimes—significantly higher than the UK average of 1.2 per 1,000 (1.2 per 1,000). This concentration may be linked to the area’s built-up character, where community interactions and public spaces could contribute to such incidents. Violence and sexual offences followed, making up 31.7% of the total, but this category was 25% below the UK average, suggesting effective local measures or demographic factors that mitigate such crimes. Shoplifting and other thefts, though lower than the UK average, accounted for 14.6% of all crimes, pointing to retail or commercial areas as potential hotspots. The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and changing clocks, likely influenced these patterns, as increased foot traffic and outdoor activity may have impacted both anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the prominence of anti-social behaviour highlights a need for targeted interventions to address community-specific challenges. These findings, when viewed through the lens of Cottam’s built-up environment, illustrate the importance of understanding how local conditions shape crime trends, even within a broader context of relative safety.

March 2024 witnessed notable shifts in crime trends, including a 100.0% increase in vehicle crime, other theft, and burglary compared to February. This surge in property-related offences may reflect seasonal factors, such as the transition to spring and longer evenings, which could influence outdoor activity and vehicle usage. Conversely, criminal damage and arson dropped by 66.7%, and other crime fell by 50.0%, suggesting potential reductions in targeted vandalism or transient incidents. The balance of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with UK averages: anti-social behaviour in Cottam (Preston) was 81% above the national rate, while violence and sexual offences were 25% below. These disparities highlight the area’s unique profile, with anti-social behaviour emerging as a critical focus for local authorities. Residents may find the 100% increase in vehicle crime particularly relevant, given its implications for road safety and community awareness initiatives.

Cottam (Preston) saw a 14.0% increase in its crime rate from February 2024 (5.5 per 1,000) to March 2024 (6.3 per 1,000), reflecting a slight upward trend. This rise, though modest, is notable given the area’s historical position below the UK average. On a daily basis, March 2024 recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that, while low, may signal localised pressures. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 159 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 6,533. This monthly exposure rate, though lower than the UK average in many categories, highlights the need for continued attention to specific crime types. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate remains below the UK average, targeted interventions may be warranted for categories like anti-social behaviour, which significantly outpaces national benchmarks. These numbers, when viewed alongside the area’s built-up character, suggest a combination of community dynamics and crime patterns that warrant further exploration.