Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile in Westmorland and Furness, accounting for 40.5% of all reported crimes in April 2024. This category, which includes assaults, sexual offences, and domestic abuse, significantly outpaces other crime types, with a rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents. The overall crime rate for the area stood at 6.2 per 1,000 residents, 19.5% below the UK average of 7.7. While property crimes such as shoplifting and burglary remain present, the scale of violent crime underscores a distinct pattern compared to other regions. Seasonal factors may contribute to this trend, as April coincides with the Easter holiday period and increased outdoor activity across the area’s rural and coastal communities. The local context—characterised by a mix of rural settlements, historic towns, and tourist attractions—likely influences crime dynamics. For instance, the relatively low rates of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000) may reflect lower foot traffic and fewer retail hubs compared to urban centres. Conversely, anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 14.4% of reported crimes, remains a persistent challenge, though its rate (0.9 per 1,000) is 26% below the UK average. This suggests local efforts in community engagement or environmental design may be mitigating some issues, though the dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted interventions.

April 2024 saw a 64.5% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 124 to 204 incidents. This surge, while still below the UK average (1.2 per 1,000), raises questions about local factors such as seasonal gatherings or youth activity. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 38.5%, with 18 reported cases—a figure 43% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may signal emerging trends requiring closer monitoring. On the other hand, bicycle theft fell by 50% to three incidents, a marked improvement that could reflect increased awareness or improved security measures. Robbery also decreased by 33.3%, from six to four cases, though this remains well below the UK average. The area’s drug-related crime rate (0.4 per 1,000) is 100% above the UK average (0.2 per 1,000), indicating a specific challenge that may require further investigation. The proportion of violent crime (40.5%) far exceeds property crime (27.5%), suggesting that local strategies addressing interpersonal conflict and community safety could yield significant impact.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness rose by 3.7% from March 2024 (6.0 per 1,000) to 6.2 per 1,000 in April, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 47 crimes per day in April, a figure that may appear high but is contextualised by the district’s population of 230,185 residents. When viewed over the entire month, this equates to one reported crime for every 162 residents—a rate that, while not insignificant, remains 19.5% below the UK average. This monthly exposure provides a tangible measure for residents: in any given month, the likelihood of encountering crime is roughly 0.6% (1 in 162), which is lower than the national benchmark. However, the disparity in specific crime types—such as the 100% increase in drug-related crime compared to the UK average—suggests that local conditions may amplify certain issues. The population scale also means that even small changes in crime rates can translate to meaningful differences in community safety, underscoring the importance of targeted local policing and community initiatives.