Formby Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.7% of crimes in Formby during August 2024, a category that was 55% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends highlights Formby’s unique crime profile, where violent crime remains lower than in most parts of the UK. The overall crime rate for the area stood at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, 62.2% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure places Formby among the safest areas in the UK, a position reinforced by the low rates of anti-social behaviour (17.4% of total crimes) and shoplifting (10.1% of total crimes), both of which were 65% and 58% below UK averages respectively. August, a peak holiday month, typically sees increased tourism and empty homes, which may contribute to higher burglary risks. However, Formby’s burglary rate of 0.3 per 1,000 was only 6% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community policing or home security initiatives may be effective. The dominance of violent crime in the local breakdown—26 incidents compared to 24 property crimes—contrasts with the UK’s higher proportion of property offences, indicating a different social dynamic in Formby. This balance may reflect the area’s character as a coastal commuter town with a mix of residential and retail spaces, where interpersonal conflicts are more frequently reported than theft from premises. The low rates of public order offences (0.2 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.1 per 1,000) further underscore the area’s relatively stable environment, though seasonal fluctuations in tourism and school holidays may influence these figures in future months.

August 2024 saw a dramatic 600% increase in burglary cases, rising from 1 to 7 incidents—a spike that may be linked to the summer holiday period and the temporary absence of residents from vacation homes. This surge in burglaries contrasts with a 50% decrease in criminal damage and arson offences, which fell from 5 to 2, possibly due to increased community vigilance or targeted enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained steady at 7 incidents (10.1 per 1,000), a 16.7% increase from the previous month but still 58% below the UK average. Other theft also rose by 14.3% to 8 cases, though this category remained 30% below the national average. The sharp decline in drugs-related offences (50% decrease) and public order incidents (50% decrease) suggests a possible reduction in alcohol-related disturbances during the month, though this could also reflect underreporting or seasonal shifts in local activity. Violence and sexual offences—Formby’s most common crime type—remained 55% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributed to the area’s lower population density and strong community cohesion. These figures offer residents a clear picture of where crime prevention efforts should focus, with burglary and shoplifting emerging as priority areas for local authorities.

Formby’s August 2024 crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 marked a 22.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.0 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend in local crime. This decline is particularly significant when viewed through the lens of daily crime activity: with 69 total crimes recorded over 31 days, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day—a rate that is remarkably low for a built-up area. On a monthly scale, this translates to one reported crime for every 321 residents, a figure that underscores the area’s relative safety compared to national benchmarks. When considering Formby’s population of 22,144, the crime rate remains far below the UK average, with violent crime and anti-social behaviour both falling significantly below national levels. This contrast becomes even more pronounced when comparing specific categories: for instance, the 0.3 per 1,000 burglary rate in Formby was only 6% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as the seasonal increase in unoccupied properties—may temporarily elevate this particular category. However, the overall picture remains one of low crime, with the area’s population-scaled perspective indicating that most residents are unlikely to encounter crime in their daily lives. This comparison highlights the importance of contextualising local data within broader national trends, while also recognising the unique characteristics that contribute to Formby’s crime profile.