Preston Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Preston’s crime rate in November 2023 stood at 10.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 44% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This stark deviation from the national figure underscores a combination of local factors. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (30.8% of total crimes), anti-social behaviour (28.0%), and criminal damage and arson (7.6%). These patterns align with Preston’s character as a mixed-use urban district with a significant retail presence, a historic industrial base, and a growing population density. Seasonal factors may partly explain the elevated violence rate, as November’s dark evenings and events like Bonfire Night could contribute to increased tensions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, which is 186% above the UK average, may reflect challenges in managing community cohesion in areas with high transient populations or under-resourced social services. Meanwhile, the relatively low burglary rate (12% below the UK average) could indicate effective community policing or secure housing stock in key areas. The data suggests that while Preston’s crime profile shares some traits with other urban centres, its specific challenges—particularly in violence and anti-social behaviour—require targeted interventions.

November 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with vehicle crime rising by 20.4% (98 to 118) and theft from the person increasing by 22.2% (9 to 11). These increases may be linked to Black Friday shopping activity, which could have drawn more foot traffic and vehicle movement to retail areas. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 41.7% (24 to 14), due to seasonal changes in cycling patterns or improved security measures. The crime mix also showed striking disparities: anti-social behaviour remains 186% above the UK average, while public order offences are 6% below. This contrast highlights the uneven nature of local crime pressures. For residents, the 27% increase in shoplifting (0.7 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 may signal a need for enhanced retail security in key high streets. The drug-related crime rate, 50% above the UK average, further underscores the area’s ongoing challenges with substance misuse, likely tied to its proximity to major transport routes and historical patterns of illicit activity.

Preston’s crime rate in November 2023 (10.8 per 1,000) represented a 9.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 11.9 per 1,000, suggesting some short-term stabilisation. However, this remains significantly higher than the UK average. Locally, the monthly exposure figure indicates that over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for every 93 residents—a stark contrast to the UK-wide average, which would be much lower. On a daily basis, Preston recorded approximately 59 crimes per day, a figure that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide data, illustrates the intensity of local policing demands. With a population of 162,864, the crime rate translates to a 10.8% chance of any given resident being involved in a crime over the course of a year. This perspective highlights the disproportionate impact on Preston’s community compared to the national picture. The previous month’s rate, though lower, still shows that the area’s crime profile remains above the UK average, indicating that long-term strategies may be needed to address systemic factors such as socioeconomic disparities or gaps in youth services.