Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Westmorland and Furness recorded 1,455 crimes, equating to 6.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 22.2% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a difference that may be attributed to the area’s rural and coastal character, which typically experiences lower crime rates compared to densely populated urban centres. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.4% of all incidents (646 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (10.2%) and public order offences (9.2%). These figures align with seasonal patterns, as October’s shorter days and colder weather may influence both the types and locations of crimes. For example, the rise in violence and sexual offences could be linked to increased indoor gatherings or changes in social dynamics during this time of year. Conversely, the significant drop in anti-social behaviour (61% below the UK average) may reflect the area’s lower population density, which could limit opportunities for such incidents. The overall crime rate, while lower than the national average, shows a slight upward trend from September’s 6.0 per 1,000, suggesting that local conditions—such as the timing of school holidays or seasonal events—may play a role in shaping crime patterns. The breakdown of crimes also reveals a mix of property and violent offences, with property crimes (413) slightly outnumbered by violent crimes (646), a shift that may be influenced by the area’s specific demographics or the presence of local amenities that attract both residents and visitors. As the month progressed, the impact of October’s darker evenings and the approach of Halloween may have contributed to a higher incidence of certain crimes, though the exact relationship remains to be explored further.

October 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with theft from the person increasing by 75% (from 4 to 7 incidents) and other crime rising by 45.7% (from 35 to 51). These increases may reflect seasonal factors, such as darker evenings and Halloween, which could contribute to higher visibility of certain crimes. Conversely, robbery fell by 33.3% (from 6 to 4), and bicycle theft decreased by 30.8% (from 13 to 9), linked to reduced outdoor activity during colder weather. The area’s violent crime rate (2.8 per 1,000) is 5% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 61% below the national rate. This divergence underscores the impact of local characteristics, such as the area’s rural nature, which may reduce opportunities for anti-social acts but not eliminate risks entirely. A resident might find the 45.7% rise in ‘other crime’ noteworthy, as it includes a range of incidents that may require localised policing strategies.

Westmorland and Furness saw a 5.2% increase in the crime rate from 6.0 per 1,000 in September to 6.3 per 1,000 in October 2024. This rise, while modest, reflects a local trend that may partly explain the shift in crime patterns observed this month. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 47 crimes per day in October, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity for residents. When considering the population of 230,185, this translates to one reported crime for every 158 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure metric highlights the frequency of incidents within a community context, though it does not account for the distribution of crimes across different areas or demographics. The local rate remains 22.2% below the UK average, but the slight upward movement suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of trends, particularly in areas where crime has traditionally been lower. Comparing this to the UK’s broader picture, the area’s lower overall rate is consistent with its rural and coastal character, which may influence both the volume and types of crimes reported.