South Ribble Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

South Ribble's crime profile in January 2026 showed a combination of seasonal trends and local patterns. The overall crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents placed the area 10.3% below the UK average, a consistent position that reflects the district's broader demographic and geographic characteristics. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.2% of all crimes, a proportion that matched the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 22.1% of total crimes, emerged as the second most common category, significantly outpacing the UK average by 40%. This contrast with the UK's lower anti-social behaviour rates may reflect South Ribble's specific community dynamics from the data alone. Seasonal factors played a clear role, with shoplifting and vehicle crime—typically linked to retail activity and commuter traffic—falling to 0.5 per 1,000 and 0.1 per 1,000 respectively. However, the sharp rise in public order offences and the 100% increase in bicycle theft suggest anomalies that may require further investigation. The post-holiday period, with its reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, likely contributed to lower property crime rates, though the surge in public order offences could indicate unmet community needs or changes in policing priorities.

Public order offences saw the most dramatic month-on-month increase, rising by 129.4% from 17 to 39 incidents. This jump, alongside a 100% rise in bicycle theft and theft from the person, suggests a shift in community interactions or enforcement patterns. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 60% (from 20 to 8), possibly reflecting reduced commuter traffic during the post-holiday lull. Violent crimes remained stable at 289 incidents, matching the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour, however, stood 40% above the UK average at 1.3 per 1,000, indicating a persistent challenge in this category. Residents may find the 100% increase in bicycle theft particularly notable, as it highlights a specific vulnerability in local crime prevention efforts during the winter months.

South Ribble's crime rate in January 2026 fell by 5.8% compared to December 2025, moving from 6.4 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the post-holiday seasonal pattern typically observed in the area, where reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours curtail opportunities for property crimes. Daily crime figures show 23 incidents reported each day in January, a consistent rhythm across the month. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 165 residents over the course of January—a rate that remains lower than the UK average. The drop in vehicle crime by 60% (from 20 to 8) and robbery by 57% (from 7 to 3) suggests seasonal factors may have played a role, with colder weather and reduced outdoor activity likely contributing to these trends. However, the sharp rise in public order offences—up 129.4%—contrasts with this seasonal pattern, indicating a shift in local dynamics that warrants closer examination.