Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cottam (Preston) saw a crime rate of 8.9 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, placing it 15.6% above the UK average of 7.7. This marked a significant departure from the national trend, reflecting a combination of local factors. Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime profile, accounting for 46.6% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 4.1 per 1,000—250% above the UK average. This spike in anti-social behaviour, often linked to the return of students and young people to the area during the start of the academic year, highlights a pressing concern for local residents. Violence and sexual offences followed closely, making up 29.3% of total crimes at 2.6 per 1,000, slightly below the UK average. The seasonal context of September, with back-to-school activities and the transition to shorter evenings, likely contributes to increased social interactions in public spaces, potentially exacerbating anti-social conduct. While property crimes remained relatively low, the breakdown reveals a stark contrast to the UK average, with criminal damage and arson, other theft, and public order offences all showing marked deviations. These patterns suggest that the area's built-up nature within Preston, combined with its proximity to educational institutions, may create unique challenges in managing crime. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in areas frequented by students and young people, as the data underscores a need for targeted community engagement and policing strategies.

September 2024 saw a 200% increase in criminal damage and arson, with incidents rising from 1 to 3. This sharp rise, though still low in absolute terms, may be linked to the start of the academic year and increased activity in public spaces. Other theft also doubled from 0 to 2, and drugs offences rose from 0 to 1, both of which could reflect seasonal shifts in social behaviour. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 92.3% (from 26 to 2), burglary dropped by 90% (from 10 to 1), and shoplifting fell by 80% (from 5 to 1). The decline in vehicle crime may be attributed to reduced car-related activity during the transition to darker evenings. The anti-social behaviour rate of 4.1 per 1,000—250% above the UK average—remains a critical concern. Residents should be particularly aware of this trend, as it may indicate underlying issues related to community cohesion or youth engagement in the area. The stark contrast between rising anti-social behaviour and falling property crimes highlights a shift in the crime mix, suggesting that local efforts to address vehicle crime may have had unintended consequences on other crime types.

The crime rate in Cottam (Preston) for September 2024 fell to 8.9 per 1,000 residents, a 40.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 14.9. This significant drop aligns with the seasonal transition, as shorter evenings and the start of the academic year may have altered patterns of public activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that, while low, still warrants attention given the local context. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 113 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the previous month, indicates a marked improvement in safety. However, this reduction must be balanced against the persistent elevation of anti-social behaviour and the recent spikes in criminal damage and arson. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the overall decline, certain crime types remain high relative to the UK average. For instance, the 250% increase in anti-social behaviour above the national rate suggests that underlying social factors continue to influence the local crime picture. Residents should remain vigilant, as the data illustrates a nuanced shift in crime dynamics rather than a complete resolution of safety concerns.