Burscough Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a striking anomaly in Burscough’s crime profile: a 200% surge in 'Other crime' despite an overall 34.4% deficit against the UK average. The built-up area recorded 40 total crimes at a rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents, with violence and sexual offences (11 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (7) dominating the breakdown. This stark contrast to the UK average—where violence and sexual offences sit at 2.3 per 1,000—suggests Burscough’s relatively low violent crime environment, possibly linked to its rural-adjacent setting and limited nightlife. Seasonal factors likely explain broader trends: pre-spring lulls in outdoor activity and tourism may contribute to the 54.5% drop in shoplifting and the 50% reduction in violent crime. However, the unexpected rise in 'Other crime'—a category typically sparse in the area—raises questions about unaccounted incidents or reporting patterns. The area’s performance in vehicle crime (14% above UK levels) and 'Other crime' (100% above UK levels) highlights pockets of divergence, even as overall rates remain well below national benchmarks. These findings underscore the complexity of crime patterns in small built-up areas, where localized factors can drive unexpected shifts.

February 2026 saw a 200% increase in 'Other crime'—rising from one to three incidents—marking the most significant single-category shift. This spike, though small in absolute terms, contrasts with a 50% drop in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 22 to 11. The reduction in violent crime may reflect seasonal factors, as winter months often see lower public gatherings. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 54.5%, likely tied to reduced foot traffic during the pre-spring lull. Vehicle crime doubled from zero to four incidents, a category that typically remains below the UK average. The area’s performance in anti-social behaviour (23% below UK levels) and public order offences (27% below) reinforces Burscough’s generally low crime profile, though the rise in 'Other crime' introduces an anomaly warranting further scrutiny.

Burscough's crime rate in February 2026 fell by 35.6% compared to the previous month, dropping from 6.4 to 4.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the typical pre-spring lull observed in winter months, when outdoor activity and tourism-related crime tend to wane. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported every 28 days, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 241 residents. This figure underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Burscough compared to larger urban centres. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the 34.4% deficit against the UK average, the area’s compact built-up nature and limited commercial density may contribute to its lower crime rates. While the drop in violence and sexual offences is notable, the rise in 'Other crime' suggests a need for closer examination of less common but emerging categories.