Crime Statistics

Skelmersdale Crime Rate

+1.5%year-over-year

Crime is stable and HIGH in Skelmersdale

Discover crime rates in Skelmersdale. With a safety score of 74/100 and a crime rate of 112.9 per 1,000, find out how it compares to the UK average.

Overall Crime Rate

112.9
Crimes per 1,000 people
stable trend

Property Crime Rate

28.7
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Skelmersdale Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:112.9vs 93.4 UK avg
+19.5 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:28.7vs 33.2 UK avg
-4.5 per 1,000 people

Skelmersdale's crime rate is significantly higher than UK average

Based on population of 33,714 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Skelmersdale

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Skelmersdale
Overall Crime Rate112.9 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate28.7 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score74 out of 100
Population33,714
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Skelmersdale
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences1,33339.535%
Anti-social behaviour1,0803228%
Criminal damage and arson30298%
Other theft1985.95%
Public order16854%
Shoplifting1584.74%
Vehicle crime1323.93%
Burglary1283.83%
Drugs1103.33%
Other crime932.82%
Possession of weapons551.61%
Robbery260.81%
Bicycle theft150.40%
Theft from the person70.20%

Introduction to Crime in Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale experiences an overall crime rate of 112.9 per 1,000 people per year, which is higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area holds a safety score of 74 out of 100, which is below the national average of 78. Over the past year, crime trends in Skelmersdale have remained stable, with a slight increase of 1.5% year-over-year. This report delves into detailed crime statistics, trends, and comparisons with nearby areas to provide a comprehensive view of safety within Skelmersdale.

Skelmersdale Safety Score

74
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Skelmersdale's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Most Common Crimes in Skelmersdale

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:35%
Per 1,000:39.5
Total:1,333
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:28%
Per 1,000:32
Total:1,080
#3

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:8%
Per 1,000:9
Total:302
#4

Other theft

Percentage:5%
Per 1,000:5.9
Total:198
#5

Public order

Percentage:4%
Per 1,000:5
Total:168

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Skelmersdale Crime Type Analysis

In Skelmersdale, the most significant crime types are Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences occur at a rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents, constituting 35.0% of all reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour is also prominent, with 32.0 incidents per 1,000 people, making up 28.4% of the total. Criminal damage and arson follow at 9.0 per 1,000, accounting for 7.9% of all offences.

Property-related crime in Skelmersdale stands at 28.6 per 1,000 people per year, which is lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes other theft (5.9 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.9 per 1,000), and burglary (3.8 per 1,000). While the overall property crime rate is below the national average, residents and homeowners should remain aware of these common offences and consider proactive measures to protect their property.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
1,333 incidents (39.5 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,080 incidents (32 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
302 incidents (9 per 1,000)
Other theft
198 incidents (5.9 per 1,000)
Public order
168 incidents (5 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
158 incidents (4.7 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
132 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Burglary
128 incidents (3.8 per 1,000)
Drugs
110 incidents (3.3 per 1,000)
Other crime
93 incidents (2.8 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
55 incidents (1.6 per 1,000)
Robbery
26 incidents (0.8 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
15 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
7 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

5% change(over 12 months)
Skelmersdale
UK Average

Compare Skelmersdale with similar populations

Skelmersdale has a 20.9% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Skelmersdale Crime Trends

Skelmersdale has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a minor increase of 1.5% year-over-year. Examining monthly data reveals fluctuations in crime rates. October 2024 saw a rate of 10.0 per 1,000, which then decreased to 7.8 per 1,000 by December 2024. A notable peak occurred in July 2025, reaching 12.6 per 1,000, before settling to 9.0 and 9.5 per 1,000 in August and September 2025, respectively. These patterns suggest potential seasonal variations, with higher crime activity observed during the summer months. Residents should stay informed about these trends to understand the evolving safety landscape of the area.

When Do Crimes Happen in Skelmersdale?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Skelmersdale's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
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Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Skelmersdale?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Theft40%
Other35%
Vehicle Crime13%
Burglary12%
Violence0%

Morning hours often see increased theft, possibly linked to commercial activity.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft43%
Other32%
Burglary20%
Vehicle Crime5%
Violence0%

Afternoon typically experiences increased theft during peak shopping hours.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other55%
Burglary17%
Theft16%
Vehicle Crime13%
Violence0%

Evening often shows a rise in 'other' crimes, possibly linked to social gatherings.

Night

12am - 6am

Other38%
Vehicle Crime33%
Burglary21%
Theft8%
Violence0%

Night-time hours are notable for vehicle crime, often targeting parked vehicles.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Skelmersdale's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Skelmersdale, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Skelmersdale Crime Time Patterns

Crime patterns in Skelmersdale show variations across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft accounts for 40% of crimes, followed by 'other' crimes at 35% and vehicle crime at 13%. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) also sees theft as the highest category at 43%, with 'other' crimes at 32% and burglary at 20%. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes become the most dominant at 55%, with theft reducing to 16% and burglary at 17%. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime significantly increases to 33%, while 'other' crimes remain high at 38%, and burglary is 21%. These patterns highlight a shift from property-related crimes during the day to vehicle and 'other' offences overnight.

Police Response Times in Skelmersdale

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

N/AActual
Actual
N/A
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

N/AActual
Actual
N/A
Target
1h
UK Average
1h

Active Officers

3,561

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

2024 data
Source: FOI Request

Crime Comparisons with Nearby Areas

Skelmersdale's crime rates can be better understood by comparing them with nearby areas. For example, Skelmersdale's overall crime rate of 112.9 per 1,000 is higher than more rural or suburban neighbours like Newburgh (West Lancashire) and Parbold. However, it may compare more favourably with larger, more urbanised areas such as Orrell, which also has a notable population. Ring o' Bells, another nearby settlement, provides further context for regional safety. Understanding these local comparisons helps residents gauge Skelmersdale's safety profile within the broader West Lancashire district.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

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Property line intervention

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Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

  • Records crime as it happens
  • Motion alerts for every shadow, leaf, or car passing by
  • You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • Hope police can use the footage

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Protecting Your Home in Skelmersdale

With Skelmersdale's property crime rate of 28.6 per 1,000, proactive security measures are essential for residents. Rather than relying on traditional CCTV systems that merely record incidents after they occur, advanced AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS focus on crime prevention. scOS detects threats at your property boundary, offering a proactive defence against potential intrusions.

Traditional security often provides notifications after a crime has taken place. In contrast, scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence to watch all areas simultaneously, learning your routines to differentiate between everyday events and real threats. This professional-grade deterrence can make a burglar decide within 60 seconds to move on to an easier target. Prioritising prevention over reaction is key to enhancing the security of your home in Skelmersdale.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Skelmersdale

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Skelmersdale. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.ukCrime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National StatisticsPopulation statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home OfficeNationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI RequestsAdditional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.