Rawtenstall Crime Rate

Rawtenstall currently holds a safety score of 80/100, indicating it is safer than the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate is 94.9 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly above the national average of 93.1. Despite this, the area's crime trend is described as stable, showing only a 3.2% change year-over-year. For residents of this Rossendale settlement, the data suggests a community that is relatively secure, though it faces typical urban challenges. While the overall rate is marginally higher than the UK benchmark, the property crime rate is significantly lower, providing a more nuanced picture of local safety. The following analysis explores specific crime types, temporal patterns, and local comparisons to provide a comprehensive view of the safety landscape in Rawtenstall.

Crime Breakdown in Rawtenstall

The most prevalent issues in Rawtenstall are anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 33.4% of all reported incidents, and violence and sexual offences at 29.4%. Criminal damage and arson also represent a significant portion of the local data at 8.9%. When examining property-related crime—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime—the rate stands at 25.4 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting that while social nuisance is a concern, the direct threat to personal property is comparatively reduced. For homeowners, this means that while the environment is generally secure, maintaining vigilance against opportunistic theft and vandalism remains a practical necessity to protect assets.

Crime Trends in Rawtenstall

The crime trend in Rawtenstall is currently classified as stable, with a modest 3.2% increase in total offences year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data reveals a fluctuating pattern throughout the year. The crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 8.2 in November 2024 and saw a gradual decline to 6.9 by January 2025. However, a notable surge occurred during the late spring and early summer, with the rate peaking at 10.4 in June 2025. This was followed by a steady decline, reaching a year-low of 5.3 in October 2025. This pattern suggests that while crime remains generally consistent, there is a distinct seasonal increase during the warmer months. For residents, this stability is encouraging, though the summer peaks indicate a need for heightened awareness during that period.

How To Keep Safe in Rawtenstall

The most common issue in Rawtenstall is anti-social behaviour, which accounts for over a third of all reported incidents. To maintain your personal safety and peace of mind, consider the following advice:

1. Be aware of your surroundings in public spaces, particularly during the evening hours when anti-social behaviour is most frequently reported.
2. Report persistent social nuisances to local authorities or community officers to ensure that hotspots are monitored and addressed.
3. If you are a business owner or resident in a high-traffic area, ensure your property is well-lit and that any communal areas are kept tidy to discourage loitering.
4. Join a local Neighbourhood Watch or community group to stay informed about local issues and cooperate with neighbours on safety initiatives.
5. Ensure your home security system is visible; often the mere presence of professional-grade protection is enough to discourage those looking to cause trouble.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Rawtenstall

Crime in Rawtenstall follows distinct temporal patterns that are useful for residents to understand. During the morning and afternoon, theft and shoplifting are the most prominent concerns, making up 38% and 41% of crimes respectively. This coincides with the opening of retail outlets and increased footfall in the town centre. As evening falls (6pm-12am), the nature of crime shifts significantly toward anti-social behaviour and 'other' offences, which account for 53% of incidents. The night-time period (12am-6am) presents a specific risk for vehicle owners, as vehicle crime spikes to 33% of all reported incidents during these hours. Understanding these cycles allows residents to take targeted precautions, such as ensuring vehicles are extra secure overnight and remaining vigilant in commercial areas during the day.

When comparing Rawtenstall to its neighbours in the Rossendale region, it occupies a central position in terms of safety. With a crime rate of 94.9 per 1,000, it is notably safer than Bacup, which experiences a much higher rate of 130.5. However, it is slightly less secure than Haslingden, which reports a lower rate of 81.0. For those seeking the quietest local environments, the village of Edenfield offers a significantly lower crime rate of 36.0, while Rising Bridge reports no crimes at all. This regional context shows that while Rawtenstall is more active than its rural neighbours, it remains a safer alternative to the busier urban hubs nearby.

Protecting Your Property in Rawtenstall

With a property crime rate of 25.4 per 1,000 people, Rawtenstall residents face a lower risk of theft and burglary than the UK average. However, the presence of criminal damage and opportunistic theft means that home security should not be overlooked. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they provide you with a recording of a crime after it has already happened. In an area like Rawtenstall, where anti-social behaviour is common, proactive protection is a more effective strategy.

The scOS operating system shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS identifies potential threats at your property boundary before an intruder can make a move. Instead of just notifying you of a break-in, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting and speakers. This destroys the element of surprise that most burglars rely on. For Rawtenstall homeowners, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI detection ensures that your property remains a hard target, deterring crime before it can impact your home.