West Lancashire Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in West Lancashire

West Lancashire presents a crime rate of 70.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to an impressive safety score of 84 out of 100, significantly above the national average of 78. Over the past year, the area has experienced a stable crime trend, with a modest increase of 3.2% year-over-year. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime statistics, trends, and local comparisons to offer a comprehensive understanding of safety in West Lancashire.

About West Lancashire

West Lancashire is a diverse local authority district characterised by a mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, including market towns like Ormskirk and the new town of Skelmersdale, alongside numerous villages and agricultural land. Its geographical position, with good transport links to larger cities like Liverpool and Manchester, makes it attractive for commuters. The area sees a blend of residential activity, local commerce, and agricultural industries. Population density varies across the district, with higher concentrations in its built-up areas. These characteristics contribute to the overall crime statistics, with specific types of crime potentially influenced by factors such as transport hubs and local amenities.

West Lancashire Crime Type Analysis

The most prevalent crime types in West Lancashire are Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences account for 24.1 per 1,000 residents, representing 34.1% of all reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 22.2 per 1,000, making up 31.4% of the total. Criminal damage and arson incidents stand at 5.2 per 1,000, or 7.4% of the total crime.

Regarding property-related crime, West Lancashire experiences a rate of 17.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses burglary (2.6 per 1,000), other theft (3.6 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.3 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson (5.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, this lower property crime rate suggests a generally safer environment, although vigilance remains important, particularly concerning common offences like criminal damage and other theft.

West Lancashire Crime Trends

Over the last year, West Lancashire has observed a stable crime trend with a 3.2% increase year-over-year. Looking at the monthly data, crime rates have fluctuated. October 2024 saw a rate of 6.3 per 1,000, which then decreased to 4.7 per 1,000 by December 2024. There was a notable peak in April 2025 at 6.9 per 1,000, followed by another high in July 2025 at 7.3 per 1,000. More recently, the rate settled at 5.7 per 1,000 in August and September 2025. This pattern suggests seasonal variations, with higher activity possibly occurring in spring and summer months. For residents, a stable trend indicates that the overall safety profile of the area is not undergoing rapid deterioration, but awareness of these monthly fluctuations can be beneficial.

Crime Comparisons with Nearby Areas

When comparing West Lancashire to its neighbouring areas, a broader regional context emerges. West Lancashire's overall crime rate of 70.7 per 1,000 is generally favourable compared to some surrounding districts. For instance, areas like South Ribble, Chorley, and Fylde offer similar suburban and rural characteristics. However, urbanised areas such as Sefton, Knowsley, and St. Helens, which are typically more densely populated, often present higher crime rates. West Lancashire's safety score of 84/100 positions it well within the region, suggesting it is a comparatively safer place to live, work, and visit when evaluated against its diverse neighbours.

Protecting Your Home in West Lancashire

Given West Lancashire's property crime rate of 17.7 per 1,000, which is significantly below the UK average, residents can still benefit from proactive security measures. While traditional CCTV systems merely record footage after a burglary, advanced AI-powered systems like scOS focus on preventing crime before it happens. Instead of documenting an incident, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, offering a proactive approach.

The limitation of reactive security is that it often notifies you after the fact. With scOS, multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, learning your routines to only alert on real threats. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, making burglars decide within 60 seconds that your property isn't worth the risk. The right security system makes that decision easy – they simply move on. Focus on prevention over reaction to truly enhance your home's security in West Lancashire.