Ormskirk Crime Rate

Ormskirk maintains a very high standard of safety, boasting a safety score of 87/100, which is significantly better than the UK average of 79. The town's overall crime rate is 58.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is much lower than the national average of 91.6. Recent data shows a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 5.1% year-over-year. This downward trajectory, combined with its status as a historic market town and home to Edge Hill University, makes Ormskirk a highly desirable and secure place to live. While violence and anti-social behaviour are the most frequent issues, property crime rates are exceptionally low. Understanding these local patterns is key to maintaining the town's safe environment.

Ormskirk's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.9% of all incidents (21.0 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 32.2%, followed by shoplifting at 7.5%. The overall property crime rate—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—stands at 14.2 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2, highlighting Ormskirk as a relatively secure town for property owners. Burglary and vehicle crime are minor factors in the overall stats, making up 3.0% and 2.1% of total crime respectively. For residents, the data suggests that while social nuisance and personal safety in the town centre are the primary concerns, the risk of serious property crime remains low compared to national figures.

The crime trend in Ormskirk is positive, with a 5.1% year-over-year decrease in total recorded offences. This suggests that the town is becoming even safer for its residents. Looking at the monthly data for 2025, the year began with a low crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 in January, which then rose through the spring to peak at 6.9 in April. Following this peak, the rate generally declined, staying between 4.0 and 5.2 for the remainder of the year. This pattern indicates that while there was a spring spike in activity, the overall trajectory is downward and stable. The consistency of these figures, paired with the town's high safety score, reinforces Ormskirk's status as a secure and well-managed community.

How To Keep Safe in Ormskirk

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ormskirk, representing 35.9% of local incidents. As a university town with a vibrant centre, maintaining personal safety is important.

1. Be Mindful in the Town Centre: When out in the evening, stay in well-lit areas and travel with friends where possible. Awareness of your surroundings is the best defence.
2. Address Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB accounts for 32.2% of reports. If you experience persistent issues, report them to the local police or council to help maintain the quality of life in your area.
3. Secure Student Housing: Students living in HMOs should be extra vigilant about locking all doors and windows, as multiple occupants can lead to entry points being left unsecured.
4. Night-time Property Security: With burglary and vehicle crime peaking at night, ensure your home and car are fully locked and consider motion-activated lighting for your driveway.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice unusual behaviour near residential properties, report it via the non-emergency 101 number to help local policing teams.

Crime in Ormskirk follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 39-41% of all activity. This is likely linked to the town's retail sector and the movement of people during the working day. As evening arrives (6pm-12am), the profile shifts significantly toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 57% of reports. This aligns with the town's nightlife and social activity. However, the night-time period (12am-6am) presents the highest proportional risk for property crime; during these hours, burglary and vehicle crime each account for 25% of all incidents. This indicates that while social nuisance peaks in the evening, the most serious threats to homes and cars occur in the early hours of the morning.

In the local context, Ormskirk sits between the very quiet surrounding villages and larger urban centres. It has a higher crime rate (58.6) than nearby Aughton, Ring o' Bells, and Drummersdale, all of which reported zero crimes in the recent period. However, Ormskirk is significantly safer than Burscough, where the crime rate is much higher at 84.1 per 1,000. This comparison highlights that while Ormskirk is a safe town by national standards, its role as a commercial and educational hub for West Lancashire leads to more recorded activity than the neighbouring rural settlements. Residents can enjoy the town's amenities while knowing they live in one of the safer urban areas in the region.

With a property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000, Ormskirk is statistically very safe, but the risk of burglary and theft still exists, particularly at night. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are often reactive, merely recording a crime as it happens. For homeowners in Ormskirk, proactive protection offers a much higher level of security. scOS is an AI-powered security operating system that prevents crime before it starts. By monitoring your property boundary in real-time, scOS can detect potential threats before an intruder reaches your door. It distinguishes between delivery drivers, neighbours, and genuine threats, only alerting you when it matters. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and audio warnings. This immediate response is vital for stopping criminals in their tracks. In a town where burglary and vehicle crime peak overnight, a visible, intelligent security presence like scOS serves as a powerful deterrent, ensuring your home remains a hard target. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the best way to secure your property in Ormskirk.