Whalley Crime Rate

Whalley is a safe and well-regarded urban settlement in the Ribble Valley, featuring an overall crime rate of 80.5 per 1,000 people. This figure is comfortably below the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 81/100. Recent data indicates that the crime trend in Whalley is currently stable, with only a minor 3.9% change year-over-year. This consistency suggests a reliable environment for residents. While the area is safer than many parts of the country, understanding the specific types of incidents and their timing can help homeowners and visitors take appropriate precautions to maintain this high standard of safety.

In Whalley, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 41.1% of all recorded incidents with a rate of 33.1 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category, making up 29.6% of local crime, followed by criminal damage and arson at 6.9%. These figures highlight that personal safety and community conduct are the most prominent concerns for those living in the area.

Property crime in Whalley remains notably lower than the national average, with a rate of 18.8 per 1,000 people compared to the UK's 32.9. This broad category includes burglary (4.6%), other theft (6.0%), and vehicle crime (4.0%). While these rates are relatively modest, they still represent a tangible risk for homeowners. Residents should remain vigilant about securing outbuildings and vehicles, as these opportunistic crimes can impact the overall sense of security in this otherwise high-safety area.

The crime trend in Whalley is currently classified as stable, showing a minor year-over-year increase of 3.9%. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals a relatively consistent baseline with some seasonal fluctuations. The year began with a crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 in January 2025, which dipped significantly to a low of 3.9 in February.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2025, the rate remained steady between 5.8 and 6.5. However, a notable spike occurred in September 2025, where the rate climbed to 10.0 per 1,000, the highest recorded in the 12-month period. This was followed by a sharp decline back to 5.3 in October. These fluctuations suggest that while the overall annual trend is stable, there are specific periods where criminal activity intensifies, possibly due to local events or seasonal changes. For residents, this stability is a positive sign, indicating that the area's safe character is being maintained.

How To Keep Safe in Whalley

The most prevalent crime type in Whalley is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 40% of all recorded incidents. To enhance your personal safety, consider the following advice:

Plan your journeys in advance, particularly when walking at night, and stick to well-lit, busy routes where possible. Avoid using headphones or being distracted by your phone in quieter areas to maintain full awareness of your surroundings.

When out in the evening, try to stay with friends and ensure someone knows your expected return time. Using a personal safety app can provide an extra layer of reassurance for loved ones.

Trust your instincts; if a situation or location feels uncomfortable, leave immediately and head towards a public place like a shop or a well-lit pub. Always report any suspicious behaviour to the local police to help them maintain the area's high safety standards.

In Whalley, crime patterns fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. Daytime hours, particularly between 12pm and 6pm, see the highest concentration of theft-related offences (45%), likely linked to local retail and commercial activity. As the day progresses into the evening, the nature of crime shifts; between 6pm and 12am, "other" crimes, which include anti-social behaviour, peak at 45%.

The night-time period (12am to 6am) presents a different set of risks. This is the peak time for vehicle crime, which accounts for 31% of incidents during these hours, and burglary, which reaches its highest point of 29%. These statistics suggest that while the streets are quieter, properties and vehicles become the primary targets for opportunistic criminals. Understanding these windows of activity is crucial for residents to implement effective security measures, such as ensuring vehicles are cleared and homes are alarmed before the late-night peak.

When comparing Whalley to its immediate neighbours, it has the highest crime rate in the immediate vicinity at 80.5 per 1,000 people. Nearby Langho follows closely at 78.7, while Barrow (Ribble Valley) reports a lower rate of 63.9. The areas of Billington and Old Langho are significantly quieter, with crime rates of 37.0 and 36.5 respectively. For those looking at the regional context, Whalley serves as a more active hub, which often correlates with higher reported figures than purely residential or rural surroundings. However, all these areas remain well below the national average, making the entire Ribble Valley corridor a very safe place to live.

With a property crime rate of 18.8 per 1,000 people, Whalley residents enjoy a level of security far better than the UK average of 32.9. However, the presence of burglary and vehicle crime, particularly during the night, suggests that standard security may not be enough for those seeking total peace of mind. Traditional CCTV and doorbell cameras are reactive; they provide evidence after a crime has been committed.

For true prevention, a proactive approach is required. The scOS artificial intelligence operating system transforms standard security into a preventative shield. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously with multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify suspicious patterns at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. It doesn't just record the event; it can trigger autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers to deter intruders instantly. In an area like Whalley, where crime is low but still present, scOS ensures your home remains a hardened target that criminals choose to bypass.