Rawtenstall Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2025, Rawtenstall's crime rate stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, 2.8% below the UK average of 7.1. This slight deviation from the national norm highlights a combination of local factors and broader trends. The most prevalent crime types were anti-social behaviour (32.6% of all crimes), followed by violence and sexual offences (29.7%) and criminal damage and arson (8.7%). The dominance of anti-social behaviour, which was 135% above the UK average, suggests a particular challenge in managing community tensions during the post-holiday period. Seasonal context may partly explain this pattern: January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which could contribute to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour in public spaces. Meanwhile, violent crimes accounted for nearly a third of all reported crimes, indicating a shift in the balance between property and violent crime compared to previous months. This imbalance may reflect the area's character as a built-up area within Rossendale, where community interactions and local events could influence crime dynamics. Property crimes, though lower overall, still accounted for 25.4% of incidents, with shoplifting and burglary rates below the UK average. These figures suggest that while violent crime remains a concern, the area's property crime profile is comparatively safer. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday transitions and colder weather—likely plays a role in shaping these patterns.

January 2025 saw notable month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons increased by 100%, rising from zero to three incidents, a stark anomaly that may reflect heightened community tensions or isolated events. Concurrently, drugs-related crimes rose by 50%, from four to six, potentially linked to seasonal patterns or shifts in local drug markets. Public order offences also climbed by 40%, reaching seven incidents, which could be tied to the post-holiday period and reduced oversight in public spaces. Conversely, burglary and criminal damage and arson both declined—burglary fell by 42.9% (from seven to four) and criminal damage dropped by 25% (from 16 to 12), due to colder weather deterring outdoor activities and reducing opportunities for such crimes. The balance between property and violent crime shifted with violent crimes (41) slightly outpacing property crimes (35), a reversal from previous months. This shift may indicate underlying social factors. For residents, the 135% above-average rate for anti-social behaviour—accounting for over a third of all crimes—presents a clear concern, suggesting the need for targeted interventions in public spaces. These figures underscore the importance of understanding local dynamics, as the same crime types may not carry the same implications in other areas.

Comparing January 2025 to December 2024, Rawtenstall's crime rate fell by 2.8%, from 7.1 to 6.9 per 1,000 residents. This decline, though modest, aligns with the typical post-holiday lull in crime activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately four crimes per day, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, reflects the persistent nature of local issues. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 144 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 19,878, this equates to a manageable but non-trivial burden on local policing and community resources. The comparison to the UK average reveals a nuanced picture: while the overall rate is slightly lower than the national figure, specific categories like anti-social behaviour and possession of weapons are significantly above the UK average. This contrast highlights the area's unique challenges, which may stem from its status as a built-up area within Rossendale, where community density and local events could amplify certain types of crime. The decline in burglary and criminal damage compared to the previous month offers a glimmer of progress, but the persistent elevation in anti-social behaviour underscores the need for sustained attention to community engagement and public space management. These figures, when viewed in context, provide a clearer picture of Rawtenstall's position within the broader UK crime profile.