Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime picture in Cottam (Preston) during May 2025, accounting for 32.1% of all reported incidents—a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents, 83% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. This category's prominence is consistent with the area's character as a built-up district within Preston, where high-density living and proximity to commercial hubs likely contribute to persistent issues of noise, nuisance, and community tensions. Violence and sexual offences followed closely, making up 30.2% of total crimes (2.5 per 1,000) and 12% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The lower-than-average rate for violent crime may reflect effective policing strategies or demographic factors, such as a younger population with fewer violent incidents relative to national trends. Seasonal dynamics played a notable role, with May's longer evenings and bank holidays likely amplifying outdoor socialising and associated anti-social behaviour. This aligns with broader patterns observed in similar urban areas, where increased foot traffic and extended daylight hours correlate with higher reports of public disorder. The low overall crime rate (8.1 per 1,000) matching the UK average suggests that while specific categories are overrepresented, the area's crime profile remains broadly in line with national benchmarks. However, the stark disparity in anti-social behaviour rates highlights the need for targeted interventions to address localised issues without overgeneralising broader trends.

May 2025 marked a dramatic 400% surge in public order offences, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a stark shift that may reflect the impact of extended daylight hours and increased social gatherings during the May bank holiday. Other crime also doubled from zero to two cases, a rare occurrence that could signal heightened activity in less monitored areas or temporary spikes linked to specific events. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 15% (from 20 to 17 cases), due to targeted enforcement efforts or seasonal adjustments in community interactions. Possession of weapons in Cottam (Preston) reached 1.9 per 1,000 residents, 150% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, a figure that warrants attention given the potential risks associated with such incidents. Meanwhile, other theft dropped by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 cases), a decrease that may indicate improved security measures or reduced opportunities for petty crime in key areas.

Cottam (Preston) saw a 15.2% increase in its crime rate from 7.0 to 8.1 per 1,000 residents in May 2025 compared to April. This rise, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns typical of late spring, when longer evenings and bank holidays may increase public socialising and associated disturbances. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day during May, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but underscores the visibility of incidents in a densely populated built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 123 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of activity relative to the local population of 6,533. This monthly exposure figure, while not alarmingly high, suggests that crime remains a present concern for residents, particularly in areas where community engagement and policing efforts may need recalibration to address emerging trends.