Tarleton and Hesketh Bank Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 8,952, the 32 recorded crimes in November 2024 translate to one incident for every 280 residents. This rate of 3.6 crimes per 1,000 people is 52.6% below the UK average of 7.6, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most common category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 18 incidents (56.3% of total crimes) at a rate of 2.0 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed with 9 cases (28.1% of total), while property crimes were sparse, with only 3 incidents recorded. Seasonal factors may partly explain these patterns: darker evenings during November, coupled with Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping activity, could have influenced the increase in violent incidents and anti-social behaviour. The area’s crime profile contrasts with larger urban centres, where property crimes often dominate, suggesting a different demographic or geographic dynamic at play. While the low overall rate is a positive indicator, the concentration of violent crimes raises questions about local factors—such as community cohesion or policing strategies—that may contribute to this trend. The data also highlights a significant disparity in UK averages for specific categories: violent crime rates here are 22% below the national figure, yet possession of weapons is 233% above the UK average, indicating a unique challenge in this category. This mix of outcomes underscores the complexity of interpreting crime statistics in a smaller built-up area within West Lancashire, where local context plays a critical role in shaping trends.

November saw an 18.2% increase in the overall crime rate compared to October, rising from 3.0 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. The most dramatic shift was in violence and sexual offences, which doubled from 9 to 18 incidents—a 100% increase. This jump aligns with the seasonal context of shorter daylight hours and heightened community activity around Bonfire Night, which may have created conditions conducive to such incidents. Similarly, criminal damage and arson cases rose from 0 to 2, a 100% increase, potentially linked to pyrotechnic-related incidents during the month. In contrast, other theft fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), suggesting a possible seasonal dip in retail-related crimes during the month. Anti-social behaviour also decreased slightly by 10% (from 10 to 9), though this minor change may be within normal fluctuation ranges. The area’s rate for possession of weapons is 233% above the UK average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000), highlighting a specific concern that deserves closer attention. This category’s spike, though modest in absolute terms, stands out as an anomaly compared to the broader trend of lower crime rates. Residents might find the 100% increase in violent crimes particularly concerning, as this category now constitutes over half of all reported incidents. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, remains a persistent issue in the area, accounting for nearly a third of all crimes.

The 3.6 crime rate in November 2024 marks an 18.2% increase from October’s rate of 3.0, though it remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that may feel more tangible to residents than abstract per-1,000-person statistics. Over the course of the month, this translated to one reported crime for roughly every 280 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the local population. This monthly exposure metric provides a clearer picture of how frequently crime occurs in everyday life, even if the overall rate is low. When compared to the UK average, the area’s performance in certain categories is striking: violence and sexual offences are 22% below the national rate, yet possession of weapons is 233% above. This duality suggests that while the area may be safer in some respects, specific issues require targeted attention. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, despite the 32 total crimes, the area’s small size means that individual incidents have a more visible impact on the community. For example, the doubling of violent crime cases in November would represent a significant shift in a place where crime is generally infrequent. This contrast between absolute numbers and relative rates underscores the importance of interpreting statistics within the unique context of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank’s demographics and geography.