Formby Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected movement in January 2025 was the doubling of shoplifting incidents, which rose to 4 cases—despite the post-holiday period typically seeing lower retail activity. This anomaly contrasts sharply with the overall trend of declining crime rates in Formby, which recorded 3.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, 57.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. The area's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences (48.5% of total incidents), followed by public order offences (15.2%) and other theft (7.6%). These figures suggest a combination of local demographics and seasonal factors, with the high proportion of violent crimes potentially linked to Formby's coastal location and transient population. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.5 per 1,000, meaning Formby's rate is 40% lower, though this may reflect both effective policing and the area's character as a relatively quiet commuter town. The low levels of property crime—particularly vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000)—further reinforce the contrast with UK averages, where these categories are typically higher. January's shorter days and reduced outdoor activity likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate, though the spike in shoplifting remains unexplained by available data.

Three crime categories saw a 100% increase from December: shoplifting (2 to 4 incidents), robbery (0 to 1 incident), and 'other crime' (1 to 2 incidents). This surge in shoplifting, despite reduced retail footfall, contrasts with the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 8.6%, dropping from 35 to 32 incidents—a reduction that likely reflects the post-holiday lull in alcohol-fuelled incidents. The area's violent crime rate (1.5 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average, consistent with Formby's character as a coastal town with limited nightlife. Public order offences (10 incidents) remain slightly above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), potentially linked to local events or community tensions. These shifts underscore the need for targeted interventions in retail areas despite the overall decline in crime.

Formby's crime rate in January 2025 fell to 3.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 14.4% decrease from December's 3.5 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical for January, a post-holiday period characterised by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day—slightly lower than the 2.4 crimes per day in December. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 336 residents, reflecting a relatively low monthly exposure compared to the UK average. With a population of 22,144, this translates to a manageable scale of incidents for local policing and community response. The drop in overall crime rate contrasts with the UK's broader context, where January typically sees a slight uptick in property crimes due to colder weather, though Formby's figures remain well below the national benchmark.