Penwortham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Penwortham's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a marked dominance of violent over property crime, a pattern that may reflect the area's built-up character and seasonal dynamics. With a total crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents—36.8% below the UK average—the area continues to outperform national benchmarks, though the composition of crimes tells a more complex story. Violent crimes, particularly those involving sexual offences, accounted for 54.8% of all incidents, significantly outweighing property crimes (23 incidents) and other categories. This imbalance is consistent with January's post-holiday context, where reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may contribute to a shift in criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour, another major category, accounted for 15.1% of incidents, though its rate (0.7 per 1,000) remains 25% below the UK average. The seasonal context of January—marked by colder weather and reduced outdoor activity—likely plays a role in shaping these patterns, as evidenced by the decline in shoplifting (30% below the UK average) and other outdoor-focused crimes. While the overall rate remains relatively low, the prominence of violent crime suggests that local factors such as community interactions, policing strategies, or socioeconomic conditions may influence this trend. The data also highlights a potential disconnect between the area's safety profile and the specific types of crime that dominate, indicating that further analysis of local dynamics could provide deeper insights.

The balance between property and violent crime in January 2026 reveals a shift in Penwortham's crime profile, with violent crimes (51 incidents) significantly outnumbering property crimes (23 incidents). This contrast, while consistent with seasonal patterns typical of post-holiday periods, raises questions about local factors that may contribute to this trend. The 70% increase in violence and sexual offences compared to December—rising from 30 to 51 incidents—marks one of the most substantial month-on-month changes. This surge, though not uncommon during January's shorter days and reduced retail activity, aligns with broader UK trends where violence and sexual offences often peak in colder months. Meanwhile, public order offences saw a 200% increase, jumping from one to three incidents, a change that could reflect heightened tensions in community spaces or shifts in policing focus. These figures, when compared to the UK average, show Penwortham's violent crime rate (2.4 per 1,000) is just 4% below the national rate for this category, illustrating a nuanced picture where the area's overall safety contrasts with specific vulnerabilities.

Penwortham's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 20.8% compared to the previous month, moving from 3.6 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains significantly below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three reported crimes each day in January, a figure that reflects both local patterns and seasonal rhythms. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 233 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the population. This statistic, when considered alongside Penwortham's built-up character and proximity to South Ribble's broader infrastructure, suggests that while the area is relatively safe compared to the UK average, localised factors such as community dynamics or specific environmental conditions may influence crime trends. The population context further highlights that even a small number of incidents can have a measurable impact on perceived safety, particularly in a community of 21,671 people.