Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Westmorland and Furness reported a crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents in June 2023, marking a 16.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This figure places the area among the safer local authority districts in England and Wales. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 37.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and criminal damage and arson (9.7%). The seasonal context of June, with its extended daylight hours and the onset of summer tourism in coastal and rural areas, may have influenced crime patterns. While violent crime rates remain a focus, the area's overall lower crime rate suggests effective community policing or environmental factors that deter criminal activity. The relatively low incidence of vehicle crime (57% below UK average) and shoplifting (26% below UK average) could reflect the region's sparse population density and limited retail concentration compared to urban centres. However, the 9% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson may indicate challenges in addressing property-related offences in specific locales. This data aligns with the area's character as a mix of rural landscapes and small towns, where community cohesion and natural barriers might contribute to lower crime rates but also present unique challenges in certain sectors.

June 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Theft from the person surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 incidents, while robbery increased by 80% (5 to 9). Drug-related offences also rose sharply, with a 46.9% increase from 49 to 72 cases. These trends contrast with declines in other areas: 'other crime' fell by 44.7% (47 to 26), and burglary decreased by 6.3% (64 to 60). The violent crime category experienced a modest 5.7% decline, from 648 to 611 incidents, though it still constitutes the largest share of reported crimes. The area's rate for drugs (0.3 per 1,000) is 43% above the UK average (0.2 per 1,000), highlighting a potential localised issue. Conversely, vehicle crime remains 57% below the UK average (0.2 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a figure that could reflect the region's lower vehicle density or effective traffic management strategies. Residents may find the 26% reduction in shoplifting (0.4 vs 0.5 per 1,000 UK average) reassuring, particularly for local businesses. These shifts suggest a combination of seasonal activity, law enforcement efforts, and regional demographics.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness rose by 4.1% from June 2023's previous month (6.8 to 7.1 per 1,000 residents), though it remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 54 crimes per day in June, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 141 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it remains lower than the UK average. With a population of 230,185, the area's crime statistics must be contextualised against its rural and semi-rural character, where lower population density and dispersed communities may naturally reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The 16.5% gap between Westmorland and Furness's rate and the UK average underscores the area's comparative safety, though localised challenges—such as the 43% above UK average rate for drug offences—warrant targeted attention. These figures also highlight the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to the unique characteristics of the region, balancing generalised approaches with specific interventions for emerging issues.