Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Westmorland and Furness recorded a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, significantly lower than the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This 23.6% deficit reflects a generally safer environment compared to the national picture. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 43.5% of all reported incidents—a proportion that aligns with the area's mix of urban and rural characteristics, where population density in towns like Barrow-in-Furness may drive such offences. Criminal damage and arson (9.0%) and anti-social behaviour (8.6%) followed as the next most common categories, consistent with the seasonal context of December. The month's dark evenings and holiday-related activities likely contributed to these patterns, though the exact causal links remain speculative. Drug-related crime stood at 0.4 per 1,000, 100% above the UK average, suggesting unique local factors. The overall crime rate's stability compared to November indicates no major upheaval in the area's safety profile. However, the dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk zones, particularly in urban centres. The seasonal context of Christmas shopping and holiday celebrations may have influenced both property crime trends and public order issues.

December 2023 saw a dramatic 450% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 2 to 11 cases. This sharp rise, though still low in absolute terms, contrasts with the overall stability in the area's crime rate. Bicycle theft also doubled, climbing from 3 to 9 cases, a trend that may reflect holiday shopping activity or increased outdoor crime during dark winter evenings. Conversely, anti-social behaviour decreased by 28.3%, falling from 152 to 109 cases—a drop consistent with reduced public gatherings during the festive season. Drug-related crime stood out as 100% above the UK average, with 0.4 per 1,000 residents affected. This anomaly suggests localised factors, such as specific community dynamics or law enforcement patterns, may be influencing this category. The stark contrast between rising robbery rates and falling anti-social behaviour illustrates shifting crime priorities in the area, warranting further analysis of local triggers.

Westmorland and Furness maintained a stable overall crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 in December 2023, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no major shifts in crime trends over the past 30 days. Daily crime counts averaged 41 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity in the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents, a metric that reflects the local population's exposure to crime. While this monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, it remains a useful benchmark for residents to gauge their personal risk. The population-scaled perspective highlights that crime remains relatively rare in this area, with the majority of residents not encountering crime during the month. However, the daily figure underscores that incidents are frequent enough to warrant attention from local authorities and community groups.