Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2023, Westmorland and Furness recorded a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents, 15% below the UK average of 8.0. The district’s crime profile was shaped by a clear dominance of violent crime, which accounted for 41.4% of all reported incidents—over 600 cases—compared to property crime’s 28.9%. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, consistent with the area’s seasonal dynamics, as longer evenings and bank holidays likely encouraged more social interactions in public spaces. This pattern contrasts with the UK average, where property crime typically holds a larger share. Anti-social behaviour, while still a significant concern (13% of total crimes), remained 32% below the national rate, possibly reflecting the district’s lower population density and community-focused policing efforts. The seasonal context of May—marked by extended daylight and increased outdoor activity—may have contributed to the elevated levels of violence and public order offences. Meanwhile, shoplifting and vehicle crime were below UK averages, with shoplifting at 39% lower than the national figure, influenced by the area’s limited retail concentration compared to urban centres. The interplay between local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime types underscores the need for tailored strategies to address the unique challenges of this rural and coastal region.

Violent crime accounted for 41.4% of all incidents in May 2023, significantly outweighing property crime’s 28.9%. This shift in balance may reflect seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which can contribute to higher rates of violence and sexual offences. Among month-on-month changes, ‘other crime’ saw a dramatic 235.7% increase, rising from 14 to 47 cases. This category includes non-specific offences that may be underreported or newly classified, warranting further investigation into their nature and location. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 30.8% (13 to 9), linked to the end of the school term and reduced outdoor activity among students. The district’s violent crime rate (2.8 per 1,000) was 1% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour remained 32% below national levels, highlighting a mixed picture of local crime trends.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness rose by 10.4% from 6.2 to 6.8 per 1,000 residents in May 2023 compared to the previous month. This equates to roughly 51 crimes reported per day across the district, a figure that reflects both the area’s population size and the distribution of crime types. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 147 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local community. When compared to the UK average, the district remains 15% below the national rate, though this gap has narrowed slightly from earlier months. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while crime is lower than the UK average, the rate of increase in certain categories—such as ‘other crime’—suggests areas for closer monitoring. The local context, including the mix of rural and coastal environments, may influence how crime manifests differently than in more densely populated regions.