Formby Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 22,144, 77 crimes in December 2024 equate to one reported crime for every 288 residents over the month. This rate of 3.5 crimes per 1,000 people places Formby 50.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (35 cases, 45.5% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (11 cases) and public order offences (8 cases). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of December, when extended dark evenings, holiday gatherings, and Christmas shopping activity may influence crime dynamics. Despite the festive season, the area’s violent crime rate remains 38% below the UK average for this category, suggesting strong community resilience or effective local policing strategies. The dominance of violent crime over property crime (35 vs 18 cases) contrasts with national trends, where property crime often outpaces violence in similar built-up areas. This shift may reflect Formby’s unique characteristics, such as a lower density of commercial spaces or a more stable residential population, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections. The low rates of shoplifting (2 cases) and burglary (2 cases)—both 82% and 68% below UK averages respectively—also indicate a crime profile shaped by local factors, including community engagement initiatives or targeted prevention efforts.

December 2024 saw a 60% drop in burglary cases, from 5 to 2, marking a significant decline in property-related crime. This decrease contrasts with an 83.3% rise in anti-social behaviour, which increased from 6 to 11 cases, suggesting a shift in crime patterns during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained the most frequent category, but their rate of 1.6 per 1,000 (45.5% of total crimes) was 38% below the UK average for this category, highlighting a consistent gap between local and national trends. Possession of weapons and bicycle theft both saw 100% increases, rising from 0 to 1 case each. These spikes, while statistically significant, were outliers in an otherwise stable month. The drop in shoplifting and other theft (50% decrease) may reflect reduced retail activity during the Christmas period or heightened security measures. These shifts underscore the combination of seasonal factors and local crime dynamics, with some categories responding predictably to December’s rhythms while others deviate from expected patterns.

Formby’s crime rate fell by 7.2% from December 2023’s 3.8 per 1,000 to 3.5 per 1,000 in December 2024, reflecting a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 2 crimes per day over the month, a figure that contextualises the overall rate in terms of local experience. When scaled to the population, this means that over the course of December, one in every 288 residents in Formby was directly affected by a reported crime. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would equate to a much higher frequency of incidents in a similar-sized area. The population-scaled perspective reinforces the area’s relative safety, with fewer crimes per capita than most parts of the country. While the 77 total crimes may seem high in absolute terms, the low rate per resident—particularly when compared to national benchmarks—suggests that local factors, such as community cohesion, policing strategies, or demographic stability, are likely contributing to this outcome. These comparisons highlight the importance of considering both absolute numbers and population-adjusted rates when assessing crime trends.