Rural Preston Crime Rate

Rural Preston presents a complex crime landscape with an overall crime rate of 132.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.7. Despite this volume, the area maintains a safety score of 73/100, which, while below the UK average of 79, indicates a level of security higher than many urban centres. Recent data reveals a concerning trend, with crime increasing by 11.5% year-over-year. This rise is reflected in the monthly figures, which peaked at 13.6 in April 2025. This detailed analysis explores the specific types of crime prevalent in the area and provides actionable insights for residents to enhance their personal and property safety.

The crime profile in Rural Preston is dominated by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 29.6% of all recorded incidents (39.1 per 1,000 residents). This is followed closely by violence and sexual offences at 24.7%, and shoplifting, which represents 13.2% of the total. These three categories comprise the majority of local police activity.

When examining property crime collectively—including burglary, robbery, various forms of theft, and criminal damage—the rate stands at 51.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. For homeowners, this elevated figure suggests a higher-than-average risk of opportunist theft and criminal damage. Shoplifting and other theft categories are particularly prominent, indicating that commercial and residential security remains a priority for the community to mitigate the impact of these frequent offences.

The crime rate in Rural Preston is on an upward trajectory, showing an 11.5% increase year-over-year. Monthly data indicates that the rate began at 9.6 per 1,000 in December 2024 and rose steadily through the spring, reaching a peak of 13.6 in April 2025. Although there was a slight cooling in the summer months, with August recording 10.1, the rate remained consistently above 10.0 for most of the year. This sustained increase suggests that the factors driving local crime, particularly anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, are persistent. For residents, this trend underscores the importance of remaining proactive about security, as the volume of reported incidents is higher now than in the previous twelve-month period.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Preston

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the most prevalent issue in Rural Preston, accounting for nearly 30% of all reported incidents. To maintain your safety and peace of mind, consider the following proactive steps:

1. Engage with local community watch groups and report persistent ASB to the local council or police via 101 to ensure hotspots are patrolled.
2. Improve the perimeter security of your home with clear boundaries and motion-activated lighting, which discourages loitering near your property.
3. Ensure that communal areas and front gardens are kept tidy; well-maintained spaces are statistically less likely to be targeted for anti-social acts or vandalism.
4. If you witness ASB in public spaces, avoid direct confrontation; instead, keep a safe distance and document descriptions or vehicle registrations if it is safe to do so.
5. Install a professional security system with visible deterrents to signal that your property is actively monitored, which often encourages individuals to move on.

Analysis of crime timings in Rural Preston reveals distinct patterns. Theft and shoplifting peak during daylight hours, particularly in the morning (37%) and afternoon (35%), coinciding with business operating times. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts; evening hours see a significant rise in 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 59% of incidents between 6pm and 12am. Night-time (12am-6am) is the primary period for vehicle crime, which accounts for 32% of offences during these hours. This suggests that while personal safety is a daytime focus in commercial areas, property and vehicle security are paramount during the night.

When comparing Rural Preston to its neighbours, it holds a higher crime rate at 132.4 per 1,000 than many nearby settlements. Cottam (86.9) and Grimsargh (58.8) are notably quieter, offering a more suburban feel with lower incident volumes. Broughton also experiences a higher rate of 121.8, placing it in a similar statistical bracket to Rural Preston. For those looking for the safest local options, Lea Town and Woodplumpton report negligible crime rates, making them the most secure areas in the immediate Preston vicinity. This regional context shows that Rural Preston is currently one of the more active areas for reported offences.

In Rural Preston, the property crime rate of 51.1 per 1,000 residents highlights a clear need for advanced security. Traditional security measures often fall short because they are reactive; a standard CCTV camera or doorbell might record a thief, but it does little to stop them. For true peace of mind, homeowners should look toward proactive protection.

The scOS artificial intelligence platform transforms security from a recording tool into a prevention system. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at your property boundary. Before a break-in can occur, the system can trigger autonomous responses—activating lights or speakers to destroy the element of surprise. In an area where theft and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns, the ability to deter a criminal within the first 60 seconds of their arrival is invaluable. Moving beyond DIY notifications to an autonomous, professional-grade AI ensures your home is protected even when you aren't watching.