Clitheroe Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 52.1% of all reported crimes in Clitheroe during February 2026, making it the dominant category in the area’s crime profile. With a total crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents, Clitheroe’s rate is 34.4% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast to the national picture suggests a combination of local factors, including the area’s smaller population and potentially lower levels of transient activity. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to the lower overall crime rate, though the high proportion of violent crimes remains notable. Anti-social behaviour and other theft followed violence as the most frequently reported categories, each contributing over 13% of total crimes. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.3 per 1,000, meaning Clitheroe’s rate of 2.2 per 1,000 is 5% below the national benchmark. This suggests that while violence is a significant issue locally, it is slightly less prevalent than in other parts of the UK. The relatively low rates of property crime—only 15 incidents compared to 38 violent crimes—may reflect the area’s character as a built-up town with limited high-traffic retail zones. However, the absence of a major shopping district does not fully explain the low property crime rates, as other theft and shoplifting still accounted for 12.3% of all crimes. The seasonal context of February, with its colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours, likely reduced opportunities for outdoor crime, but the persistence of violent incidents highlights the need for targeted local strategies to address this category.

February 2026 saw a 52.4% decrease in anti-social behaviour, dropping from 21 incidents in January to 10. This marked decline may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as reduced social gatherings during the winter months, or the effectiveness of local policing initiatives. Conversely, 'other crime' surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 incidents, while possession of weapons increased by 100%, jumping from 0 to 1. These sharp increases in specific categories highlight the need for closer scrutiny of emerging trends. The crime mix in Clitheroe shifted significantly compared to the UK average: anti-social behaviour was 34% below the national rate, while 'other crime' was 100% above the UK average. This divergence underscores the uniqueness of Clitheroe’s crime profile, with certain categories—such as shoplifting and public order offences—falling 66% and 51% below the UK average, respectively. For residents, the most immediate insight is the 17% drop in the overall crime rate from January 2026, which fell from 5.1 to 4.2 per 1,000. This reduction, combined with the decrease in anti-social behaviour, may indicate that targeted interventions or natural seasonal patterns are having a measurable impact. However, the rise in 'other crime' and weapon possession suggests that some challenges persist, requiring further analysis to determine their root causes.

Clitheroe’s crime rate in February 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents) represents a 17% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.1 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day over the 28-day month, a figure that may help residents contextualise the frequency of incidents in their local environment. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure to crime was 1 reported crime for every 236 residents, a rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic illustrates that, despite the presence of violent crime, Clitheroe remains a relatively safe area compared to the national picture. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the importance of local context: while the UK average crime rate is 6.4 per 1,000, Clitheroe’s rate is 34.4% below this benchmark, suggesting that factors such as community cohesion, policing strategies, or the area’s built-up nature may contribute to this disparity. However, the rise in 'other crime' and weapon possession underscores that even in low-crime areas, specific challenges can emerge. These figures, when combined with the month-on-month reductions, indicate that while overall safety is improving, vigilance remains necessary to address emerging trends.