Cottam (Preston) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cottam (Preston), a built-up area within Preston, recorded a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure reflects a mixed picture of crime trends, with violent crimes emerging as the most prevalent category, accounting for 54.8% of all incidents. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.5 per 1,000, were 40% above the UK average for this category, a disparity that may be influenced by the area’s demographic profile or local social dynamics. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 14.3% of total crimes, while vehicle crime also rose to 14.3% of the total—143% above the UK average. These figures contrast with other theft and public order offences, which were 57% and 52% below the UK average respectively, suggesting a nuanced crime profile shaped by the area’s characteristics. Seasonal factors likely played a role in the overall trend, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter days, which may limit opportunities for outdoor crimes. However, the persistence of violent crime above the national average indicates that targeted efforts may be needed to address underlying issues such as social cohesion or community engagement. The relatively low overall rate, combined with the specific spikes in vehicle crime and violent offences, underscores the complexity of managing crime in a small built-up area where localised factors can have a pronounced impact.

January 2026 marked a 4.6% reduction in Cottam’s overall crime rate compared to December 2025, driven by a 50% decrease in anti-social behaviour and a 57% drop in criminal damage and arson. However, the month also saw notable increases: other theft, vehicle crime, and public order offences each doubled from zero to one, six, and one respectively. This shift in crime mix suggests a move away from property-related incidents toward more transient or situational offences. Violent crimes, which accounted for 54.8% of total incidents, remained 40% above the UK average for this category—highlighting a persistent challenge in this area. Conversely, other theft and public order offences were 57% and 52% below the UK average respectively, a pattern that may reflect the area’s smaller population or lower foot traffic in certain zones. These fluctuations underscore the importance of monitoring specific crime types, as a drop in one category can be offset by rises in others.

Cottam (Preston) recorded a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, a 4.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.7. This decline aligns with the post-holiday period, which typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall crime rate compared to the UK average. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure means that one reported crime occurred for every 156 residents—a statistic that contextualises the frequency of incidents for those living in the area. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, specific crime types such as violence and sexual offences (3.5 per 1,000) are higher than the UK average for this category. This contrast highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent crime is concentrated, even as the broader trend suggests a safer environment for residents.