Ashton-in-Makerfield Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ashton-in-Makerfield's violent crime rate in January 2026 stood at 0.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure 80% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.5 per 1,000). This stark contrast to national trends highlights the area's unusual focus on violent crime as the most prevalent category, accounting for 64.3% of all reported incidents—far exceeding the proportion of similar crimes nationally. While property crime rates (0.2 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.1 per 1,000) remained well below UK averages, the dominance of violent offences raises questions about local dynamics. Seasonal context suggests that post-holiday periods and shorter daylight hours may influence crime patterns, though the absence of major retail activity or concentrated nightlife areas in this built-up area within St. Helens likely limits opportunities for shoplifting or public order offences. The overall crime rate of 0.8 per 1,000—88.2% below the UK average—reflects a combination of demographic factors and infrastructure characteristics, including a relatively stable population with limited transient populations that might otherwise contribute to property crime. The area's low shoplifting rate (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.6 per 1,000) aligns with its modest retail presence and lower footfall during January, a month typically marked by reduced consumer activity. These patterns underscore the importance of localized factors in shaping crime profiles, even within a broader regional context.

Violent crimes saw a 12.5% increase from 8 to 9 in January 2026, marking the most significant single-category rise. This shift contrasts with the 65% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average, where the national rate for this category was 0.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, with a 100% increase from 0 to 1 incident—a rare uptick in an area typically characterized by low levels of such activity. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark imbalance: violence and sexual offences accounted for 64.3% of all reported incidents, far exceeding their UK average share of 37.5% (2.5 per 1,000). This discrepancy suggests local factors may be influencing violent crime trends. For residents, the most immediately relevant insight is the 80% gap between Ashton-in-Makerfield's violent crime rate (0.5 per 1,000) and the UK average, indicating a lower risk of such incidents in this built-up area compared to the national picture.

Ashton-in-Makerfield's crime rate for January 2026 remained 0.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 12.1% decrease from the previous month's 0.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the area's historically low crime profile. below the UK average. Daily crime statistics show an average of 0 reported crimes per day over the 31-day period, reflecting a pattern of sporadic incidents rather than sustained activity. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure equates to one reported crime for every 1,252 residents—a figure that underscores the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The population context further highlights the impact of local factors: with 17,524 residents, the low crime count suggests that community dynamics or infrastructure may contribute to this trend. This monthly aggregate provides a snapshot of how infrequent incidents can be distributed across a larger population, offering residents a tangible measure of risk in their daily lives.