Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2023, Westmorland and Furness maintained a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents, 25% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure translates to a per-capita risk of one reported crime for every 168 residents over the course of the month, a relatively low exposure compared to national benchmarks. The area’s crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 39.9% of total reports, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.4%) and public order offences (9.5%). These patterns align with the district’s mix of rural and coastal communities, where public spaces in towns like Barrow-in-Furness may see heightened anti-social behaviour during late evenings. The seasonal context of September—marked by back-to-school activities and university freshers—likely contributes to the prominence of public order and anti-social behaviour offences, as young people gather in social hubs. Meanwhile, the area’s lower rates for property crimes, such as burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000), may reflect the sparsity of urban centres and the presence of open spaces that deter certain types of theft. The overall crime rate, though slightly higher than August’s 5.7 per 1,000, remains a testament to the area’s generally safer environment compared to the UK average. This suggests that while local factors can influence crime trends, Westmorland and Furness continues to benefit from lower-than-average rates across most categories.

September 2023 saw significant shifts in crime types compared to August. Burglary increased by 63.6% (33 to 54), a rise that may be linked to seasonal transitions and increased home occupancy during the school term. Public order offences also rose sharply, up 31.3% (99 to 130), potentially reflecting the impact of university freshers and late-night activity in town centres. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 37.5% (8 to 5), due to reduced foot traffic during early evening hours. Drug-related crimes in the area remain 50% above the UK average (0.3 vs 0.2 per 1,000), a persistent disparity that contrasts with the area’s overall lower crime rate. The increase in 'other crime' (+76.5%) highlights the need for further analysis into emerging categories, which accounted for 2.2% of total reports. These fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the importance of contextual factors like seasonal rhythms.

Westmorland and Furness saw a 4.8% increase in its overall crime rate from August 2023 (5.7 per 1,000) to September 2023 (6.0 per 1,000). While this upward shift is notable, the area remains 25% below the UK average. Locally, September witnessed 46 crimes reported daily, a figure that reflects the area’s population of 230,185. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 168 residents, a monthly aggregate that provides context for individual risk. This rate, while higher than August, is still significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to the area’s population. The daily crime count and monthly exposure figure illustrate that while crime is present, it remains relatively infrequent compared to national benchmarks. The increase in September may align with seasonal patterns, such as the return of students to university campuses, which could contribute to shifts in crime types like public order offences and anti-social behaviour.