Rural Preston Crime Rate

Rural Preston presents a unique crime profile with an overall rate of 132.0 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 74/100, indicating a generally secure environment for its population of nearly 9,000. However, the recent trend shows that crime is increasing, with an 8.5% rise year-over-year. This upward trajectory suggests that while the area remains safer than the central urban core, residents should be increasingly aware of local safety issues. The property crime rate is also elevated at 50.8 per 1,000, highlighting the importance of robust security for rural dwellings and businesses. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, serves as a vital guide for understanding the evolving safety landscape of the region.

In Rural Preston, the most significant crime types are anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and shoplifting. Anti-social behaviour is the most common, with 357 incidents representing 30.3% of all crime. Violence and sexual offences follow with 284 cases (24.1%), while shoplifting accounts for a notable 155 reports (13.2%).

The property crime rate in Rural Preston is 50.8 per 1,000 people, which is considerably higher than the UK average of 32.2. This includes 74 cases of criminal damage and arson, 67 incidents of other theft, 60 bicycle thefts, 47 vehicle crimes, and 40 burglaries. Additionally, 10 robberies were recorded. For residents in these more dispersed communities, the high rate of bicycle theft and shoplifting—often concentrated around rural service stations or local shops—is a key factor. The property crime rate suggests that even in rural settings, homes and outbuildings require diligent security to protect against theft and criminal damage.

Rural Preston has seen an increasing crime trend, with an 8.5% rise in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated but remained relatively high throughout the year. The year began with a rate of 10.5 in January, which rose to 13.6 by April, the highest rate recorded in the 12-month period.

Following this peak, the rate dipped slightly but stayed above 10.0 for most of the year, with July recording 12.0. The latter months showed a subtle cooling trend, with December recording the annual low of 9.2. For residents, this overall increase of 8.5% is a signal to remain alert, as the general volume of reported crime is higher than in previous years. While the end-of-year dip is encouraging, the sustained activity during the spring and summer months suggests that seasonal factors may influence local crime levels.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Preston

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the most frequently reported crime in Rural Preston, making up over 30% of all incidents. In rural and semi-rural environments, ASB can often involve trespassing, nuisance vehicles, or groups gathering in isolated spots.

To stay safe and protect your community, follow these tips:

• Secure all perimeter gates and fences to prevent unauthorised access to your land or property; visible physical barriers are a strong first deterrent.
• Report any instances of nuisance vehicles or suspicious gatherings to the police; providing specific details like vehicle registrations can be incredibly helpful for rural patrols.
• Install motion-activated lighting in areas that are not overlooked, as darkness can provide cover for anti-social activity.
• Engage with your local rural crime partnership or neighbourhood watch to stay informed about recent activity and share safety tips with neighbours.
• Keep valuable equipment, bicycles, and tools out of sight and locked in secure buildings; opportunistic theft often follows periods of anti-social loitering.

Crime in Rural Preston follows a distinct daily cycle. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is the dominant crime type, accounting for 36% and 35% of reports respectively. This often involves shoplifting or opportunistic theft in more populated clusters. As the day ends, the focus shifts; during the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, primarily anti-social behaviour, surge to 58% of all incidents. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a major spike in vehicle crime, which accounts for 31% of reports, alongside burglary at 18%. These patterns suggest that while daytime crime is linked to commercial activity, the evening and night hours present a higher risk for residential property and vehicles, particularly in less overlooked rural spots.

Rural Preston sits in a transitional zone between the busy city centre and quieter villages. Its crime rate of 132.0 is considerably lower than the 186.9 recorded in central Preston (Preston). However, it is higher than many of its immediate neighbours, such as Fulwood (88.7) and Cottam (85.9). It also sees more activity than Grimsargh, which has a much lower rate of 57.3. This suggests that Rural Preston, likely due to its role as a thoroughfare and its mix of residential and commercial clusters, experiences more frequent reports than the more purely residential suburbs or the deeply rural villages. For those looking for a balance, it offers more space than the city with a crime profile that is still more active than the most tranquil local areas.

In Rural Preston, the property crime rate of 50.8 per 1,000 people is a significant statistic that residents should not ignore. Rural properties often face unique challenges, including isolation and multiple entry points that can be difficult to monitor with traditional security. Standard DIY cameras like Ring or Nest simply record footage, which in a rural setting might only show a crime happening minutes before help can arrive.

The scOS AI-powered security system offers a proactive alternative. It uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your entire property boundary simultaneously, never blinking. scOS can distinguish between local wildlife and a genuine threat, only alerting you when it matters. Most importantly, it can autonomously respond to intruders by activating high-intensity lighting or audio warnings, deterring criminals before they even reach your home or outbuildings. For Rural Preston residents, this proactive deterrence is essential, providing a professional-grade shield that prevents crime rather than just documenting it. In an area where crime is on the rise, stopping a threat at the boundary is the ultimate peace of mind.