Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime picture in Westmorland and Furness, accounting for 40.5% of all reported crimes in April 2024. This category, which includes assault, sexual assault, and other violent acts, contributes to a total crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents — 19.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. The area’s crime profile reflects a mix of urban and rural characteristics, with the 40.5% share of violent crime likely influenced by the district’s population distribution and seasonal activity patterns. April, with its Easter holidays and spring weather, may have increased outdoor interactions in both urban centres and rural communities, though this does not directly explain the high proportion of violent offences. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common category, making up 14.4% of all crimes, while criminal damage and arson account for 8.4%. These figures align with patterns seen in similar mixed-terrain areas, where property-related crimes and disorder often coexist. The overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s relatively low population density and the absence of major urban hubs that typically correlate with higher crime rates. Seasonal factors, such as increased foot traffic during Easter and warmer weather encouraging outdoor activities, may have played a role in shaping the crime mix for the month.

April 2024 saw a 64.5% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 124 to 204 incidents. This surge may reflect the impact of Easter-related events and the transition into spring, which often brings more public gatherings in both urban and rural spaces. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 37%, with 37 incidents reported — a jump from 27 in March. This increase could be linked to seasonal travel patterns, including holidays and increased use of vehicles for outdoor recreation. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 50%, dropping from six to three incidents, due to reduced cycling activity during the Easter break. The drugs category stood out as 100% above the UK average, with 0.4 per 1,000 residents compared to the national rate of 0.2 per 1,000. This discrepancy may indicate localized factors, such as changes in enforcement or the movement of illicit networks. Meanwhile, robbery and theft from the person both decreased, with robbery down by 33.3% and theft from the person dropping by 25%. These declines might be attributed to the same seasonal factors that reduced bicycle theft, such as lower foot traffic during holidays. The mix of rising and falling crime types highlights the combination of seasonal and community-specific influences on the area’s crime profile.

The crime rate in Westmorland and Furness for April 2024 (6.2 per 1,000 residents) represents a 3.7% increase from March’s rate of 6.0 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 47 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 162 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area well below the UK average for similar-sized districts. This lower frequency may be attributed to the district’s mix of rural and semi-urban environments, where population density and community structures can influence crime dynamics. The population context further underscores the significance of the rate: with 230,185 residents, even a relatively small increase in crime numbers translates to a measurable impact on individual risk. Comparing the area’s performance to the UK average, its overall crime rate remains 19.5% lower, a difference that persists despite the month-on-month rise. This contrast highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in maintaining lower rates, though the upward trend suggests the need for continued monitoring of factors such as seasonal activity and community engagement initiatives.