Burscough Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Burscough recorded 62 crimes, equating to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This rate places the area 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a margin that, while modest, suggests a relatively safer environment compared to national trends. The most significant contributors to the crime total were violence and sexual offences (22 cases, 35.5% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (12 cases, 19.4%) and shoplifting (11 cases, 17.7%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of January, a month marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may partly explain the lower-than-average rates of property crimes and outdoor-related offences. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting—nearly doubling from December—raises questions about local retail security measures or shifting criminal priorities. Violence and sexual offences, though down from the previous month, remain a critical concern, with their rate (2.3 per 1,000) slightly below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, however, continues to exceed national benchmarks by 40%, a disparity that may reflect the area’s social dynamics or policing strategies. The overall crime picture for Burscough in January 2026 illustrates a combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and specific crime trends, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in areas such as anti-social behaviour and retail crime prevention.

January 2026 saw a sharp 83.3% increase in shoplifting, with incidents rising from six to 11. This jump, while not uncommon during post-holiday periods, highlights vulnerabilities in retail security during quieter months. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 33.3%, declining from 33 to 22 cases—a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns, as colder weather and shorter days reduce opportunities for outdoor crimes. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent issue, with rates 40% above the UK average, suggesting ongoing challenges in managing community conduct. The 100% increase in possession of weapons, though a single incident, raises questions about local tensions or unreported issues. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in Burscough, where specific categories can surge or ease in response to both seasonal and local factors.

Burscough’s January 2026 crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents marks a 7.5% decrease from the previous month’s 7.0 per 1,000, reflecting a modest but consistent trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that aligns with the seasonal slowdown typical of January, when retail activity and outdoor activity both decline. When scaled to the local population of 9,631, this translates to one reported crime for every 155 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. The population context further underscores that Burscough’s crime levels, while not negligible, are proportionally manageable within its community size. The reduction from December 2025 to January 2026 may partly reflect the post-holiday lull, though local factors such as community engagement or policing efforts could also contribute to this shift.