Rossendale Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Rossendale's overall crime rate in May 2023 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the district 2.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This position, while modest, suggests a generally stable environment compared to national trends. The most common offences were anti-social behaviour (215 incidents, 37.8% of all crimes), followed by violence and sexual offences (193 incidents, 33.9%) and criminal damage and arson (49 incidents, 8.6%). These figures align with the district's likely character as a post-industrial town with a mix of residential, commercial, and public spaces. The dominance of anti-social behaviour, which is 118% above the UK average for this category, may be influenced by the area's proximity to major transport routes or its density of public amenities that encourage social interaction. Meanwhile, violent crime rates, though still significant, were 6% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the impact of community initiatives or the demographic profile of the area. Seasonal factors in May — including bank holidays, extended daylight, and increased outdoor socialising — likely contributed to the elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, as these conditions can amplify tensions in shared spaces. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (11.8% below the UK average) and burglary (68% below the UK average) may be attributable to Rossendale's lower population density and the distribution of residential properties, which could reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. These patterns illustrate a combination of local geography, social dynamics, and seasonal rhythms that shape the district's crime profile.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in three specific offences: possession of weapons rose by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), robbery doubled (from 0 to 4), and theft from the person increased by 100% (from 0 to 1). These spikes, though small in absolute numbers, indicate potential emerging risks that may warrant closer attention from local authorities. Conversely, other crime fell by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), other theft dropped by 40% (from 30 to 18), and drug-related offences decreased by 20% (from 5 to 4), suggesting some areas of the crime profile may be stabilizing. Anti-social behaviour remained high compared to the UK average, at 118% above the national rate of 1.3 per 1,000. This category's dominance (37.8% of all crimes) aligns with Rossendale's likely character as a mixed-use area where public spaces host both regular residents and transient populations. The violent crime category, making up 33.9% of all incidents, was 6% below the UK average, a contrast that may reflect the district's efforts in community policing or its demographic profile.

Rossendale's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 18.4% compared to April, increasing from 6.6 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This shift positions the area as one of the few local authority districts in the UK to see a rise in overall crime during the month. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 18 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with typical urban patterns, highlights the density of incidents in a relatively small population. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 128 residents — a monthly aggregate that translates to a 1-in-128 risk for any given individual. With a population of 73,045, this statistic underscores the localized nature of crime in Rossendale, where concentrated pockets of activity may drive higher rates despite the district's overall proximity to the UK average. The increase in May contrasts with the previous month's lower rate, suggesting potential seasonal or situational factors influencing criminal activity, such as the extension of daylight hours and increased socialising during bank holidays.