Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 230,185, 1,369 crimes in October 2023 equate to 6.0 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing the area 25% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This lower-than-average rate suggests a combination of local factors, including a rural landscape with fewer densely populated urban centres, which may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41% of all incidents (561 cases), a category that was 11% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 12.3% of reported crimes (168 cases) and 45% below the UK average. This pattern may reflect the area's character as a largely rural district with fewer high-density commercial or social hubs that typically drive such offences. Seasonal context also plays a role, with October's shorter days and Halloween events influencing crime dynamics. For instance, the slight increase in criminal damage and arson (153 cases, 0.7 per 1,000) could be linked to increased outdoor activity or weather-related incidents. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime remained significantly below UK averages, likely due to the region's lower retail footfall and fewer urban parking zones. These trends illustrate a crime profile shaped by both geography and seasonal rhythms, with violent crime dominating but overall rates remaining relatively low compared to national standards.

October saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with theft from the person increasing by 60% (from 5 to 8 incidents), marking the most significant rise. This surge may reflect seasonal factors, such as Halloween-related activity or increased foot traffic in certain areas. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 43.5% (from 23 to 13), a decline that could indicate ongoing efforts in community engagement or policing strategies. Vehicle crime also dropped by 12.5% (from 24 to 21), linked to reduced outdoor activity during darker evenings. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 29.7% (from 118 to 153), a stark contrast to the UK average for this category, which was 0.6 per 1,000. This anomaly may be tied to local factors such as rural property density or seasonal weather impacts on infrastructure. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour remains 45% below the UK average, a consistent trend that could reflect community cohesion or effective local initiatives.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness remained stable at 6.0 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, matching the rate from the previous month. This consistency suggests no immediate spikes or drops in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 44 crimes per day, a figure that, while localized, provides a tangible sense of frequency for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 168 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualizes the scale of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 230,185, this rate places the area 25% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, highlighting a sustained trend of lower crime levels compared to national benchmarks. This population-scaled perspective underscores the relative safety of the region, even as specific categories like criminal damage and arson show fluctuations.