Monthly Crime Statistics

Skelmersdale Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Skelmersdale's October 2025 crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 shows a 13% increase above the UK average, with violent crimes comprising nearly 40% of all incidents.

293
Total Crimes
8.7
Per 1,000 People
7.7
UK Average
-8.7%
vs Previous Month

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Skelmersdale's October 2025 crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents placed it 13% above the UK average, a figure that underscores the area's distinct position within national crime trends. The breakdown of offences revealed a pronounced imbalance between violent and property crimes, with the former accounting for nearly 40% of all incidents. Violence and sexual offences alone made up 38.9% of the total, a share significantly higher than the UK average for this category, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also exceeded national benchmarks. This pattern suggests a community grappling with persistent social tensions and disorder, potentially influenced by the area's built-up character and local amenities. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings and the approach of Halloween—likely contributed to the spike in public order offences, though the exact causal links remain speculative. Meanwhile, property crimes remained relatively low compared to the UK average, with burglary and vehicle crime falling below national rates. This contrast between violent and property crime trends may reflect broader socio-economic factors, such as the presence of younger demographics or transient populations in the area, which could amplify incidents of interpersonal conflict. However, the data alone does not confirm these hypotheses, and further analysis would be needed to establish definitive connections. The month's crime profile highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent and anti-social behaviour are concentrated, while the relatively lower property crime rate suggests that existing measures in this domain may be having some effect.

Violent crimes dominated the crime mix in October, accounting for 38.9% of total incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category by 28%. This stark contrast to property crimes, which represented only 23.5% of the total, suggests a shift in criminal activity patterns. Public order offences saw an 850% month-on-month increase, rising from 2 to 19 incidents, a surge likely tied to seasonal factors such as Halloween and the transition to darker evenings. Conversely, shoplifting and other theft decreased by 45.5% and 60.9% respectively, possibly reflecting reduced foot traffic or altered retail activity in October. Possession of weapons rose by 400%, climbing from 1 to 5 incidents, a figure that, while small, warrants attention given its 186% above the UK average. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends and the influence of both seasonal and situational factors.

Skelmersdale's crime rate in October 2025 (8.7 per 1,000) marked an 8.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.5 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 9 crimes per day, a figure that, while specific to Skelmersdale, offers a tangible sense of local activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 115 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 33,714. This rate is slightly higher than the UK average but aligns with patterns seen in similar built-up areas of West Lancashire, where community dynamics and local amenities often influence crime trends. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the overall rate is elevated, the absolute number of incidents remains manageable within the area's size and infrastructure.

Crime Breakdown - October 2025

Crime TypeCountPer 1,000% of Total
Violence and sexual offences1143.438.9%
Anti-social behaviour712.124.2%
Criminal damage and arson300.910.2%
Public order190.66.5%
Burglary110.33.8%
Other crime90.33.1%
Other theft90.33.1%
Vehicle crime60.22.1%
Drugs60.22.1%
Robbery60.22.1%
Shoplifting60.22.1%
Possession of weapons50.21.7%
Bicycle theft100.3%

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Skelmersdale

4,683+
Areas Covered
8.2M+
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 4,683+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally monthly) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

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

scOS is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations.

Page updated: 17 April 2026

New data is released by Police.uk approximately once a month