Orrell Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Orrell's crime profile in May 2024, accounting for 47.1% of all reported incidents. This category's prevalence—16 cases at a rate of 0.7 per 1,000 residents—significantly outpaced the UK average for similar crimes, which stood at 2.8 per 1,000. The area's overall crime rate of 1.6 per 1,000 residents was 81% below the UK average of 8.4, reflecting a marked divergence in crime patterns. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category, with 10 incidents (0.5 per 1,000), also far below the UK average of 1.4. This stark contrast to national trends suggests that Orrell's built-up area may have unique social dynamics, potentially influenced by its location within West Lancashire and its smaller population size. Seasonal factors appear to play a role in the crime mix, with May's extended evenings and outdoor socialising likely contributing to the rise in violence and anti-social behaviour. The low property crime rate—5 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)—further diverges from the UK profile, where property-related offences typically constitute a larger share of total reports. This imbalance may indicate a combination of factors, including lower commercial density, effective local policing, or community engagement strategies that reduce opportunities for theft and burglary. The data also reveals that crimes such as criminal damage and arson, public order offences, and other thefts were all below the UK average, reinforcing the area's position as one of the safer built-up areas in the country.

Violence and sexual offences saw the most significant increase in May 2024, rising by 33.3% from 12 to 16 incidents. This shift may be linked to May's longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Drug-related crimes also rose sharply, doubling from zero to one report—a 100% increase—though the absolute number remains low. Conversely, categories such as criminal damage and arson, other theft, and other crime each saw a 50% decrease, reflecting seasonal changes in activity or targeted policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour, though still below the UK average, increased by 11.1% to 10 incidents, suggesting persistent challenges in managing public conduct. The breakdown shows that Orrell's crime mix remains heavily weighted towards violent offences, with property crimes accounting for only 8.8% of all reports. This stark contrast to the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, illustrates the area's unique crime profile.

Orrell's crime rate remained stable at 1.6 per 1,000 residents in May 2024, matching the same figure recorded in the previous month. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall crime patterns during the period. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime every 31 days, translating to a low-frequency local context. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 639 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low exposure compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the local population of 21,712, this monthly exposure rate highlights the area's position as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK. The stability in the crime rate, combined with the low daily incident count, aligns with Orrell's character as a smaller, possibly commuter-oriented or semi-rural built-up area where community cohesion and limited commercial density may contribute to reduced crime opportunities. These factors, when considered alongside the UK-wide average, reinforce the area's distinct crime profile.