Ashton-in-Makerfield Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Ashton-in-Makerfield’s crime rate for October 2025 stood at 1.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 81.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the area’s distinct crime profile, shaped by its smaller population and likely lower population density. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 58.3% of all reported crimes, though their rate (0.8 per 1,000) was 70% below the UK average for the same category. This suggests that while violent crime is present, its frequency is significantly lower than in other parts of the country. The second and third most common crimes were vehicle crime (16.7% of total) and anti-social behaviour (12.5% of total), both of which were also well below the UK average. October’s seasonal context—marked by the clocks going back, darker evenings, and the approach of Halloween—may have influenced patterns. For example, the increase in anti-social behaviour could be tied to Halloween-related activities, though this is not confirmed by the data. The low rate of property crimes (only 5 incidents, or 20.8% of total) further underscores the area’s divergence from typical urban crime profiles, where property crimes often dominate. This may reflect the area’s characteristics, such as fewer retail centres or a lower concentration of high-value assets. The overall crime rate, while showing a 101.5% increase from September, remains in a historically low range, consistent with the area’s likely rural or semi-rural nature. This contrast with the UK average illustrates the importance of local context in interpreting crime statistics, as factors such as population size, geography, and community dynamics play a critical role in shaping crime patterns.

October saw a 100% month-on-month increase in three crime categories: anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, and vehicle crime. All three rose from zero incidents in September to 3, 1, and 4 respectively, marking a dramatic shift in the crime profile. This surge in anti-social behaviour, which now accounts for 12.5% of total crimes, may be linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween and darker evenings. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category (58.3% of total), but their rate (0.8 per 1,000) was 70% below the UK average for the same category. Vehicle crime, now at 0.2 per 1,000, was also 52% below the UK average, a figure that could reflect the area’s lower traffic density or fewer parking hubs compared to larger towns. Residents may find the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly noteworthy, as this category had not been reported in the previous month.

The crime rate in Ashton-in-Makerfield rose sharply from 0.7 per 1,000 in September to 1.4 per 1,000 in October, a 101.5% increase. This shift suggests a notable uptick in reported incidents over the month, though the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day in October, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 730 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to population size, the area’s crime profile continues to diverge from the UK average, with violent crimes remaining 70% below the national benchmark. This contrast may reflect the area’s smaller population and lower density, which could inherently reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The increase in October appears to be isolated to specific categories, rather than a broad rise across all offence types, suggesting targeted factors may have influenced the shift.