Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cottam (Preston) recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in September 2025, placing it 17.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure marks a significant improvement from the previous month but highlights the area's continued divergence from national trends. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 50% of all incidents—165% above the UK average. This stark contrast may be influenced by local factors, such as the area's built-up nature within Preston, where higher population density and proximity to urban amenities can contribute to increased reports of disruptive behaviour. Violence and sexual offences followed, comprising 32.5% of crimes, though this category remained 22% below the UK average. The seasonal context of September—marked by the start of the academic year and the transition to shorter evenings—may have played a role in shaping these patterns. Anti-social behaviour, for instance, could be linked to the influx of students and young people returning to the area, a dynamic common in built-up parts of larger towns. While the overall rate remains low, the concentration of anti-social behaviour raises questions about community engagement and local policing strategies. The relatively low levels of violent crime and property-related offences, such as burglary (5.0% of total crimes) and vehicle crime (2.5%), suggest that the area's crime profile is distinct from more densely populated urban centres. However, the small but notable increases in specific categories, such as criminal damage and arson, underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and targeted interventions to address emerging risks.

September 2025 marked a sharp increase in two specific crime categories: criminal damage and arson, which rose by 100% from zero to one incident, and burglary, which also doubled to two incidents. These spikes, though small in absolute terms, may signal emerging risks for residents, particularly in areas where vandalism or property intrusions are uncommon. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 88.9% (from nine to one), and other theft dropped by 66.7% (from three to one), suggesting a possible seasonal shift in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences, the second most common crime type, remained 22% below the UK average, with 13 incidents reported. This contrast highlights the area's relatively lower levels of violent crime compared to the national picture. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly in light of the rise in burglary, which could indicate vulnerabilities in local security measures or increased opportunities during the transition to colder weather.

Cottam (Preston) saw a significant drop in its crime rate in September 2025, falling from 10.0 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents—a 38.5% reduction compared to the previous month. This decline places the area 17.6% below the UK average, a notable contrast to the national trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, reflecting a manageable level of activity for a built-up area within Preston. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 163 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime for local households. When compared to the previous month, the sharp reduction in crime may partly reflect seasonal factors, such as the transition from summer to autumn, which often sees a temporary shift in public activity patterns. However, the population-scaled perspective shows that Cottam (Preston) continues to perform better than the UK average, though specific crime types like anti-social behaviour remain high.