Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

A sharp increase in possession of weapons — from 13 to 25 incidents — emerged as the most unexpected trend in November 2023, with a 92.3% month-on-month rise. This surge contrasts with broader declines in other categories, including a 34% drop in burglary and a 60% fall in robbery. The area’s overall crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents marked a 26.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting a safer profile than the national benchmark. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.5% of all reported incidents (540 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (12%) and criminal damage and arson (9.3%). These figures align with seasonal patterns: November’s dark evenings, Bonfire Night events, and pre-Christmas shopping activity may partly explain elevated violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the sharp rise in weapons possession defies immediate seasonal logic, suggesting potential shifts in local dynamics that warrant closer examination. The area’s rural-urban mix, with significant coastal and inland communities, likely contributes to varied crime profiles, though the weapons increase remains an outlier in this context.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 92.3% increase in possession of weapons, with incidents rising from 13 to 25. This jump, while small in absolute terms, represents a significant shift and may indicate emerging local challenges. Concurrently, vehicle crime increased by 66.7% (21 to 35), possibly linked to seasonal travel patterns or changes in local transport usage. Conversely, burglary fell by 34% (50 to 33), and robbery dropped by 60% (5 to 2), reflecting improved security measures or reduced opportunities during colder weather. Violent crime remains lower than the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 2.4 per 1,000 — 7% below the UK rate of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also saw a stark 33% deficit compared to the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or demographic factors. However, the drugs category stood out as 50% above the UK average (0.3 vs 0.2 per 1,000), indicating a localised issue requiring targeted intervention. Residents may find the 60% drop in robbery rates particularly reassuring, though the weapons increase underscores the need for continued vigilance in specific areas.

Westmorland and Furness’ crime rate in November 2023 (5.5 per 1,000) marked a 7.2% decline from the previous month’s 6.0 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend. This equates to 42 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while locally relevant, must be contextualised within the area’s population of 230,185. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 181 residents — a monthly aggregate that, while modest, reflects the persistent presence of crime in everyday life. When compared to the UK average, the area’s rate remains lower, with violent crime rates (2.4 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) both significantly below national benchmarks. This suggests that local initiatives, geographic characteristics, or demographic factors may be contributing to the area’s safer profile. However, the stark contrast in the drugs category — 50% above the UK average — highlights uneven risk distributions. For residents, the 60% drop in robbery rates offers a tangible benefit, though the rise in weapons possession complicates the overall picture. The combination of these trends illustrates the combination of local conditions and national crime patterns, requiring nuanced policy responses.