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, placing it 23.6% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This figure reflects a mix of seasonal and geographic factors typical of the area, which combines rural landscapes with urban centres like Barrow-in-Furness. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.5% of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (9.0%) and anti-social behaviour (8.6%). The data aligns with patterns seen in similar mixed-terrain areas, where high street activity and seasonal events often influence crime trends. December, with its long evenings and holiday shopping peak, likely contributed to a slight uptick in certain offences, though the overall rate remained stable compared to previous months. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes such as burglary (43% below UK average) and shoplifting (59% below UK average) may reflect the area’s lower population density and stronger community policing efforts. However, the drug-related crime rate was 100% above the UK average, a figure that could signal emerging challenges in local law enforcement priorities. The seasonal context—dark evenings, empty homes during holidays, and increased retail activity—likely influenced the distribution of crime types, with violence and public order offences peaking during the festive period. This snapshot illustrates a combination of local conditions and national trends, with the area maintaining a relatively safe profile despite occasional spikes in specific categories.

December 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with robbery increasing by 450% (from 2 to 11 incidents) and bicycle theft rising by 200% (from 3 to 9). These sharp increases contrast with declines in anti-social behaviour (-28.3%) and shoplifting (-22.9%), suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. The drug-related crime rate was 100% above the UK average, a stark outlier compared to other categories such as criminal damage and arson (11% below UK average) and anti-social behaviour (46% below UK average). This divergence highlights potential gaps in local enforcement or changing social dynamics. The rate of burglary rose by 60.6% (33 to 53), a figure that may reflect increased property vulnerability during the holiday season when homes are unoccupied. The data also shows that violent crimes, though remaining the most common category, were 8% below the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s lower population density and stronger community cohesion. Residents may find the 100% increase in drug-related crimes particularly concerning, as this category now exceeds the UK average by a significant margin. The contrast between rising drug-related offences and falling property crimes suggests a possible reallocation of criminal activity towards more discreet or illicit markets.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness remained stable at 5.5 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, matching the previous month’s rate exactly (-0.2% change). This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall safety, though localized changes in specific crime categories were evident. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 41 crimes per day in December, a figure that, while manageable, underscores the need for continuous monitoring. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualized with the area’s population of 230,185, highlights the relatively low frequency of crime per individual. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the sharp increases in robbery and bicycle theft, which may indicate localized pressures not captured by the aggregate figure. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that the area’s crime profile is distinct from the UK average, with drug-related offences far exceeding national norms while property crimes remain well below. This divergence suggests that local factors—such as demographic composition or enforcement strategies—are shaping the crime profile in ways that differ from the broader UK context. For residents, the monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk, though the specific spikes in certain categories warrant further attention.