Longton Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Longton's crime profile in April 2023 remains exceptionally low compared to the UK average, with a crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents—73.3% below the national figure. Despite this overall safety, specific trends warrant attention: anti-social behaviour accounted for 40.9% of all crimes, followed by violence and sexual offences (22.7%) and public order issues (13.6%). These figures suggest a persistent focus on community-level disruptions, potentially linked to Longton's built-up area dynamics and seasonal patterns. The Easter period, combined with spring weather, likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may have amplified anti-social behaviour incidents. However, the area's low crime rate—particularly in violent and property crimes—suggests effective local policing or community cohesion. Shoplifting and public order offences both rose sharply, though they still remain well below UK averages. Longton's data illustrates a combination of geographic factors and seasonal rhythms, with its low overall crime rate contrasting against specific spikes in certain categories. The town's character as a built-up area within South Ribble, with retail or community hubs, may explain these patterns, though further local analysis would be required to confirm. Residents should remain vigilant around public spaces during peak hours, given the rise in shoplifting and public order incidents.

April 2023 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+200%) and public order offences (+100%), with three reported cases of each. These jumps, though still far below UK averages (shoplifting: 38% below; public order: 53% below), highlight emerging concerns. Anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type (40.9% of total), fell by 50% from 18 to 9 cases, suggesting potential interventions or seasonal shifts in activity. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 37.5%, from 8 to 5 cases, though they remain 85% below the UK average. The shift in crime mix appears to be driven by non-violent, community-level issues rather than property or violent crimes. For residents, the rise in shoplifting—now 3 cases in April—may indicate targeted retail areas or increased foot traffic during Easter. The data also reveals that Longton's drug-related crimes (1 case) and burglary (1 case) remain minimal, both 67% and 47% below UK averages respectively. These figures underscore the area's overall safety but reinforce the need for awareness around specific high-risk activities.

Longton's crime rate in April 2023 (2.0 per 1,000) marked a 35.2% decline from the previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly one crime reported per day in the area—a figure that, while low, highlights the need for ongoing vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 514 residents, a statistic that contextualises the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, Longton's overall safety is starkly evident, with crime rates 73.3% below the national level. This contrast is particularly pronounced in violent crime categories, where Longton's rates are 85% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. However, the month-on-month increases in shoplifting and public order offences suggest localized pressures that require attention. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the low absolute numbers, residents are exposed to crime at a rate significantly lower than the UK average. This duality—overall safety with pockets of concern—calls for targeted community engagement and policing strategies tailored to Longton's unique dynamics.