Burscough Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Burscough's overall crime rate in October 2023 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a substantial 55% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This performance places the area among the safest in the country, with crime levels significantly lower than national benchmarks. The most common crime type was anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 51.4% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (14.3%) and other theft (11.4%). These patterns align with Burscough’s character as a small, built-up area within West Lancashire, where community-focused policing and limited commercial activity may contribute to lower levels of violent and property crime. Seasonal factors also played a role, with the transition to darker evenings and the approach of Halloween potentially amplifying anti-social behaviour. However, the overall crime rate remains consistent with Burscough’s historical profile as a low-crime area, where community cohesion and relatively low population density may act as natural deterrents to more serious offences. The lower prevalence of violent crime compared to the UK average (81% below) suggests that local initiatives or demographic factors—such as a stable population with fewer transient residents—may be reinforcing this trend. While anti-social behaviour remains a persistent concern, its relatively high incidence compared to the UK average (48% above) highlights the need for targeted interventions in public spaces, particularly during evenings when visibility decreases. The data also indicates that property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime are well below national levels, which may reflect the area’s lower density of high-value assets or effective local security measures.

October 2023 saw notable reductions in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 50% from the previous month, aligning with the UK average for this category (2.7 per 1,000). This decrease may be linked to seasonal factors, as the shorter days and cooler weather could reduce opportunities for such incidents. Conversely, other theft increased by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents), indicating a sharp rise in this category. This surge, while significant, still remains 35% below the UK average (0.6 per 1,000). The increase in other theft could be attributed to specific local circumstances, such as the timing of Halloween, which may have temporarily heightened opportunities for petty theft. Drug-related incidents also doubled from 0 to 1, a category that is 50% below the UK average (0.2 per 1,000), suggesting that while drug crime is not a major issue in Burscough, it remains a concern that could warrant further monitoring. Burglary, which rose by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents), still sits 41% below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), reinforcing the area’s overall safety profile. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, where small changes in activity or environmental factors can have disproportionate impacts on specific categories. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the significant drop in violent crime, which may be a result of ongoing community engagement efforts or the natural ebb and flow of seasonal activity.

Burscough’s crime rate in October 2023 (3.6 per 1,000) represented a 10.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000, underscoring a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that is likely to be perceived as relatively low by local residents. When scaled to the population, this equates to one reported crime for every 275 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that provides context for the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates that the probability of being directly affected by crime is minimal compared to the UK average. The area’s population of 9,631 further contextualises these figures, highlighting that even small changes in crime numbers can have a measurable impact on local statistics. While the overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, the comparison to national benchmarks reveals that certain categories—such as anti-social behaviour—remain high, necessitating targeted strategies to address these specific issues. The contrast between Burscough’s low overall crime rate and its elevated levels of anti-social behaviour underscores the importance of differentiated approaches to crime prevention, ensuring that local efforts are aligned with the unique challenges faced by the area. For residents, the combination of low violent crime and manageable property crime levels suggests that Burscough continues to be a relatively safe place to live, with the potential for further improvements if current trends are maintained.