Penwortham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Penwortham’s crime profile in October 2023 reveals a distinct balance of crime types that diverges from both UK-wide trends and historical patterns in the area. With a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents—35% below the UK average—the built-up area within South Ribble maintains its position as a relatively low-risk environment. However, the nature of crime here is markedly different from the national mix, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 28.3% of all incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000 (17% above). This dominance of anti-social behaviour may reflect the area’s urban character, where public spaces and community interactions are frequent. In contrast, violence and sexual offences, which make up 25.7% of Penwortham’s reported crimes, are 52% below the UK average, a discrepancy that could stem from effective local initiatives or a demographic profile that reduces exposure to such crimes. Seasonal factors also play a role: October’s shorter days and Halloween likely amplify anti-social behaviour, while the absence of major holidays may temper retail-related crimes like shoplifting, which fell by 36.4% compared to September. This mix of crime types—high anti-social behaviour, low violent crime, and a surge in ‘other crime’—suggests a combination of local conditions, policing strategies, and seasonal rhythms that shape Penwortham’s unique crime picture.

The crime mix in October 2023 reveals a stark contrast between Penwortham and national trends, with anti-social behaviour dominating at 28.3% of all incidents—17% above the UK average. This category’s prominence may reflect the area’s community dynamics, though local factors such as public spaces or seasonal events like Halloween, with its associated darker evenings, likely contribute to its prevalence. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell sharply below the UK average by 52%, a figure that aligns with Penwortham’s lower overall crime rate and may indicate effective community policing or demographic characteristics that reduce exposure to such crimes. Other crime surged by 500% compared to September, jumping from one to six reports—a spike that could signal new challenges or shifts in reporting behaviour. This anomaly contrasts with the 36.4% drop in shoplifting, which may be linked to seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic during October or targeted retail security measures.

Penwortham’s October 2023 crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents marks a 17.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.4, reflecting a shift in local patterns. This rise is most visible in the surge of ‘other crime’ reports, which jumped from one to six incidents—a 500% increase—suggesting new or intensified activity in less commonly tracked categories. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of four reported crimes per day in October, a figure that, while modest, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. Over the course of the month, 1-in-192 residents experienced a reported crime, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against Penwortham’s population of 21,671, highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This metric, however, does not account for unreported crimes or variations in policing effectiveness, which may influence perceived versus recorded crime levels. The population-scaled perspective shows that while Penwortham remains significantly safer than the UK average, the month-on-month rise indicates a dynamic that warrants attention to emerging trends.