Longridge Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Longridge in February 2026 reveals a striking dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 45% of all recorded incidents — a pattern that diverges from the UK-wide trend where property crimes often outpace violent ones. With a total crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 28.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a disparity that may reflect its rural character and limited commercial activity. Violence and sexual offences (18 cases) and anti-social behaviour (7 cases) formed the bulk of incidents, while property crimes such as shoplifting (5 cases) and burglary (1 case) remained relatively low. This mix suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts and disorderly conduct are more prevalent than theft or vandalism, a dynamic consistent with small built-up areas where social cohesion is both a strength and a potential vulnerability. 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 sharp increase in shoplifting indicates targeted vulnerabilities in retail spaces. The area's crime picture, therefore, illustrates a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the challenges of maintaining public safety in a rural setting with limited economic diversification.

February 2026 witnessed a dramatic 400% rise in shoplifting, jumping from one to five incidents. This spike contrasts sharply with a 65% drop in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 20 to seven cases — a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in community engagement or altered police resource allocation. The crime mix also reveals a significant imbalance: violent crimes (18) accounted for 45% of all incidents, far outpacing property crimes (11). This proportion is lower than the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which sit at 2.3 per 1,000 compared to Longridge's 2.1 per 1,000. Meanwhile, shoplifting's rate (0.6 per 1,000) is 3% above the UK average, a minor but notable deviation that could signal targeted retail vulnerabilities in the built-up area.

Longridge's crime rate in February 2026 fell to 4.6 per 1,000 residents, a 28.6% drop from the previous month's rate of 6.4 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and community events in the built-up area of Ribble Valley tend to slow. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of one crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that, while low, highlights the sporadic nature of incidents in a rural setting. When scaled to the population of 8,750, this translates to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 219 residents — a statistic that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the importance of local vigilance. The contrast with the previous month's rate reveals a marked shift, possibly influenced by the pre-spring lull in social activity and reduced foot traffic in retail and public spaces.