Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Westmorland and Furness, 6 crimes were reported in September 2023 — a rate 25% below the UK average of 8.0. This translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 168 residents, suggesting a relatively low risk environment compared to national trends. The area's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences (39.9% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.4%) and public order offences (9.5%). These figures align with the seasonal context of September, when back-to-school routines and university freshers' week may contribute to increased social interactions in public spaces. The rate of violent crime in the area (2.4 per 1,000) is 12% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (0.8 per 1,000) is 40% below the national rate. The area's relatively low levels of property crime (391 incidents) compared to violent crime (547) suggest a different crime dynamic than many urban centres, where property offences often dominate. This pattern may reflect the region's rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density could influence crime patterns. However, the 50% increase in drug-related crimes compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000 vs 0.2 per 1,000) indicates a specific challenge requiring attention. The seasonal transition into autumn, with shorter evenings and the start of academic terms, may also shape local crime dynamics.

September 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends compared to August. Burglary rates rose by 63.6% (33 to 54 incidents), potentially linked to increased home occupancy as students return to campus or seasonal travel patterns. Public order offences also increased by 31.3% (99 to 130), which may reflect heightened activity in public spaces during the freshers' week period. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 37.5% (8 to 5 incidents), due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas as the summer tourist season wanes. Vehicle crime decreased by 27.3% (33 to 24 incidents), aligning with seasonal patterns where fewer vehicles remain parked in rural areas during the early autumn. The breakdown of crimes shows a stark contrast between local and national trends: while drug-related offences in Westmorland and Furness are 50% above the UK average (0.3 vs 0.2 per 1,000), burglary rates are 38% below the national average (0.2 vs 0.3 per 1,000). This divergence highlights the area's unique challenges, with substance-related crime emerging as a concern despite overall lower crime rates. The increase in 'other crime' by 76.5% (17 to 30 incidents) suggests unclassified or emerging criminal activities warranting further investigation.

The crime rate in September 2023 (6.0 per 1,000 residents) marked a 4.8% increase from August's 5.7 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 46 crimes per day in September — a figure that, while substantial, must be contextualised against the region's population of 230,185. This equates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 168 residents, a ratio that suggests a relatively low level of personal risk compared to both national averages and other areas with higher population densities. The 25% gap between Westmorland and Furness' rate and the UK average underscores the area's distinctiveness, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour (40% below UK rates) and public order offences (3% below UK rates). However, the 50% increase in drug-related crimes compared to the UK average highlights a specific vulnerability. While the overall rate is up slightly from August, the composition of crimes remains skewed towards violent and social disorder offences rather than property crimes, reflecting the area's unique demographic and geographic characteristics. This balance of low overall rates with concentrated challenges in specific categories presents a complex picture for local authorities to address.