Preston Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Preston's February 2024 crime profile, accounting for 28.8% of all reported incidents and marking a 12% increase over the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 residents. This category, which includes assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence, remains the most significant driver of crime in the district, a pattern consistent with Preston's status as a mid-sized urban centre with a mix of residential and commercial areas. The overall crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 residents places the district 36.6% above the UK average, a gap that may be partially explained by the concentration of anti-social behaviour (27.3% of all crimes), which is itself 157% above the national average. This category, encompassing noise complaints, vandalism, and public disorder, is likely influenced by the district's high population density and the presence of multiple public housing estates. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, with the winter month seeing reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull that may have limited opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the persistence of high anti-social behaviour rates suggests that long-term social and economic challenges—such as unemployment and limited access to community services—may be contributing to the area's elevated crime profile. The breakdown also reveals a complex mix of property and violent crimes, with criminal damage and arson (7.5% of all crimes) and other theft (7.3%) reflecting the interplay between environmental factors and human behaviour. While the overall rate is higher than the UK average, the data shows variation across crime types, with vehicle crime being 9% below the national figure—a potential indicator of effective policing in this area. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that address both immediate criminal activity and underlying structural issues.

February 2024 saw a 40% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 10 to 14, a sharp contrast to the 41.7% drop in theft from the person (from 12 to 7). These opposing trends may reflect seasonal shifts in criminal activity, with opportunistic crimes declining as public spaces became less frequented. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common category, with 432 incidents—157% above the UK average—and showed no significant month-on-month change, suggesting persistent community challenges. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 18.2% (from 77 to 63), a decline that could be attributed to increased use of home security systems or targeted policing efforts in high-risk areas. The rise in bicycle theft (+30%, from 10 to 13) may indicate vulnerabilities in parking infrastructure or a growing number of cyclists. Vehicle crime was 9% below the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), a figure that could be influenced by the district's road network and traffic patterns.

Preston's February 2024 crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 9.1% decrease from the previous month's 10.7 per 1,000, indicating a slight but measurable downward trend. This reduction aligns with the seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—though such patterns are not consistently observed in all areas. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 54 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the population density and the specific challenges of urban policing. When scaled to the local population of 162,864, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 103 residents, a rate that remains higher than the UK average. This statistic underscores the need for sustained community engagement and targeted interventions, particularly in areas where anti-social behaviour and violence are concentrated. The decrease in burglary (from 77 to 63) may suggest improved security measures or increased police presence, though further data would be required to confirm this hypothesis.