Burscough Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Burscough's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 5.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7. This performance reflects a consistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels, a pattern observed in other small built-up areas with similar demographic profiles. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 33.3% of all reported incidents—34% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 25.0% of total crimes, though it exceeded the UK average by 7%. Shoplifting, at 10.4% of total crimes, was 25% below the UK rate, likely reflecting the area's limited retail density compared to larger urban centres. Seasonal factors may have influenced patterns, with the Easter period and milder spring weather potentially increasing outdoor activity and associated risks. The balance between property and violent crimes remained relatively even, with property crimes (16 incidents) and violent crimes (16 incidents) each contributing 33.3% of the total. This equilibrium contrasts with larger cities where property crime often dominates. Burscough's low crime rate, despite its status as a built-up area, suggests effective community policing or strong social cohesion, though further analysis of local initiatives would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.

April 2024 saw sharp increases in burglary (+300%) and 'other crime' (+300%), with both categories rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This surge in 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or less common offences—may reflect underreporting or shifting crime definitions. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 9.1%, though it remained below the UK average. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1 incident), possibly due to reduced outdoor activity during Easter or improved vehicle security measures. Shoplifting declined by 37.5% (from 8 to 5 incidents), aligning with national trends of lower retail theft in spring months. Violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with 16 incidents (33.3% of total) and a rate 34% below the UK average. This suggests that while Burscough faces challenges in specific areas, its overall crime profile remains markedly safer than the national average. Residents may find the 25% reduction in shoplifting rates particularly relevant, as it indicates a lower risk of theft in local retail environments compared to other parts of the UK.

Burscough's crime rate in April 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, with no change from the 5.0 per 1,000 residents recorded in March. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day—a figure that, while seemingly high, translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 201 residents. This rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to the local population, reflecting Burscough's status as a small built-up area with limited urban density. The 35.1% gap between Burscough's rate and the UK average underscores the area's relative safety, though this must be contextualised within its specific characteristics. For instance, the 25% above UK average for anti-social behaviour may relate to the area's social composition or local enforcement priorities. Meanwhile, the 25% below UK average for shoplifting could be attributed to fewer retail outlets or higher levels of community vigilance. When viewed through the lens of population size, Burscough's 48 total crimes in April equate to a manageable burden for local policing resources, particularly given the area's low population of 9,631 residents. These figures suggest that while Burscough is not immune to crime, its overall profile is significantly more favourable than the national benchmark.