Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Westmorland and Furness continues to exhibit a crime profile that diverges from the UK average, with a 6.8 per 1,000 residents rate in May 2024—19% below the national average of 8.4. This lower overall rate is driven by a marked dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 44.4% of all incidents, compared to property crimes at 27.7%. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, occurred at a rate of 3.0 per 1,000, 6% above the UK average, suggesting a combination of local factors. The area’s anti-social behaviour rate, at 0.7 per 1,000, was 52% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the region’s rural character and lower population density. Seasonal context plays a role in these patterns: May’s longer evenings and bank holidays likely contributed to increased socialising and outdoor activity, which could partly explain the rise in violent crimes and the surge in bicycle theft. Meanwhile, categories like vehicle crime and shoplifting remained significantly below UK averages, consistent with the area’s lower urban density and reduced retail footfall compared to major cities. This interplay of factors—seasonal shifts, geographical context, and local demographics—illustrates a region where crime is influenced by both its rural landscape and the rhythms of its communities.

May 2024 saw a striking shift in crime dynamics, with violent crimes accounting for 44.4% of all incidents—over 100 more than property crimes. This imbalance, while consistent with the area’s broader trend of lower overall crime rates, raises questions about local factors such as increased social activity during longer evenings. Bicycle theft surged by 167%, rising from three to eight incidents, a spike that may reflect the start of the tourist season or the impact of bank holidays on local routines. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 27%, possibly linked to fewer commuters on the roads during May’s holiday periods. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 17.2%, a decline that could indicate the effectiveness of local initiatives or seasonal changes in community engagement. Violent crimes in the area remain 6% above the UK average, a contrast to the region’s overall lower crime rate, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in this category.

Westmorland and Furness recorded a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in May 2024, a 10.4% increase from the previous month’s 6.2 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, contrasts with the area’s 19% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. Daily crime activity averaged 51 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity in a region with a population of 230,185. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for every 147 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while lower than the UK average in several categories, shows a slight upward trend. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the area remains relatively safer than the UK overall, the increase from April suggests localized factors—such as seasonal shifts or specific events—may be influencing crime patterns. This monthly exposure rate, though not directly comparable to UK figures, offers a clear snapshot of how frequently residents encounter crime within their community.