Preston Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Preston’s crime rate in January 2026 was 13.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure 95.6% above the UK average of 6.8. This stark divergence from national trends underscores the area’s unique challenges, likely shaped by its post-industrial urban landscape and dense built-up environment. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, accounting for 36.1% of all incidents, with 446 reports—4.8 per 1,000 residents, 92% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, at 252 cases (2.7 per 1,000), 190% above the UK average. These figures may be partly explained by the area’s historical economic struggles and the social dynamics of densely populated neighbourhoods. Seasonal factors also played a role: January’s post-holiday lull, reduced retail activity, and shorter days likely contributed to a 7.2% monthly decline in overall crime rates, though this did not temper the persistent overperformance in violent and anti-social categories. The data highlights a combination of long-term structural issues and transient seasonal influences, with no single factor providing a complete explanation for the area’s elevated crime profile.

January 2026 saw a stark surge in robbery, with reported incidents jumping from 8 to 23—an 187.5% increase. This spike, though unexplained by the data, contrasts sharply with a 32.4% drop in drug-related crimes, which fell from 68 to 46. The rise in robbery may reflect post-holiday economic pressures or shifts in criminal activity patterns. Meanwhile, possession of weapons increased by 50%, from 14 to 21, a category already 186% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime, with 252 incidents—190% above the UK average—highlighting ongoing challenges in community cohesion. Theft from the person decreased by 28.6%, from 7 to 5, a drop that may be linked to seasonal factors such as reduced pedestrian traffic during shorter days.

Preston’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 13.3 per 1,000 residents, a 7.2% decrease from the previous month’s 14.4 per 1,000. This reduction, while modest, contrasts with the area’s historically elevated rates compared to the UK average. On a daily basis, the town recorded approximately 40 crimes per day—a figure that, while locally significant, must be contextualised within Preston’s population of 92,693. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 75 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the persistent presence of crime in daily life. This figure, though not directly comparable to UK-wide metrics, aligns with the area’s urban density and historical challenges with anti-social behaviour and property crime. The decline from December may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which typically curb outdoor crimes but may not impact indoor or alcohol-fuelled incidents as strongly.