Preston Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Preston recorded 1,392 crimes across its population of 92,693, translating to a crime rate of 15.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 108.3% above the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, placing the area in stark contrast to national trends. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (440 incidents, 31.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (343 incidents, 24.6%) and criminal damage and arson (112 incidents, 8.1%). These patterns align with Preston’s character as an urban built-up area with historical industrial and retail hubs, where seasonal factors such as dark evenings and holiday-related activity may contribute to elevated levels of disorder and property crime. The violence and sexual offences rate of 4.8 per 1,000—83% above the UK average—suggests challenges in managing public safety during the festive season, potentially exacerbated by increased alcohol consumption and social gatherings. Anti-social behaviour, at 3.7 per 1,000, is particularly concerning, as it exceeds the UK average by nearly threefold, pointing to systemic issues in community cohesion or policing effectiveness. The high rate of criminal damage and arson (1.2 per 1,000) may reflect economic hardship or targeted vandalism in areas with declining property values. These figures, combined with the seasonal context of December—Christmas shopping, party season, and empty homes over holidays—illustrate a combination of local conditions and broader national crime trends.

December 2023 marked sharp increases in burglary (+63.9%) and possession of weapons (+53.3%), with 59 and 23 incidents respectively. These rises may partly explain the area’s elevated violent crime rate, though the month also saw declines in shoplifting (-24.8%) and bicycle theft (-36.4%), possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark divergence from UK averages, with anti-social behaviour in Preston at 3.7 per 1,000—298% above the national figure of 0.9 per 1,000. This suggests a concentration of disorder-related incidents in areas with high foot traffic or social deprivation. Theft from the person was 44% below the UK average, a rare positive deviation that may reflect local policing efforts or seasonal deterrence due to increased surveillance during holiday periods.

December 2023 saw a stable crime rate in Preston, remaining at 15.0 per 1,000 residents compared to 15.2 per 1,000 in November—a 1.4% decline. This minor fluctuation suggests no significant shift in overall crime trends. On a daily basis, Preston experienced approximately 45 crimes each day in December, a figure that underscores the persistent presence of crime in the area. When scaled to the population of 92,693, this translates to one reported crime for roughly every 67 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is stark, it aligns with the area’s broader context as a built-up urban centre with historically elevated crime rates. The population-scaled perspective highlights that crime remains a regular, if not daily, occurrence for residents, particularly in high-traffic or socioeconomically challenged neighbourhoods where anti-social behaviour and property crimes are concentrated.