Westmorland and Furness Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

August 2025 marked a combination of rising and falling crime trends in Westmorland and Furness, a district spanning rural landscapes, coastal towns, and industrial hubs. The overall crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents—14.8% below the UK average—reflects a generally safer environment compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents. This figure, 8% above the UK average, may be partially explained by the district’s mix of urban and rural areas, where social interactions in public spaces can heighten exposure to such offences. Criminal damage and arson also rose sharply, reaching 0.8 per 1,000 residents—36% above the UK average—a trend that could be linked to seasonal factors like increased use of outdoor spaces and the presence of transient visitors during the summer holiday period. Public order offences, at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, were 21% above the UK average, a statistic that may reflect the challenges of managing crowds in coastal and tourist areas. In contrast, anti-social behaviour was 73% below the national average, suggesting that community cohesion and local policing efforts may be effective in curbing such disturbances. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—likely contributes to these patterns, as temporary residents and increased foot traffic can create conditions that both deter and enable criminal activity. While the district’s overall rate remains below the UK average, the sharp increases in specific categories highlight the need for targeted interventions and ongoing vigilance from residents and authorities alike.

August 2025 witnessed a dramatic 975% increase in theft from the person, rising from 4 to 43 cases. This spike, though unexplained by available data, may reflect heightened opportunities in public spaces during the summer holiday season. Concurrently, bicycle theft surged by 175%, with incidents jumping from 4 to 11, a figure that could be linked to increased outdoor activity and lax security measures for personal property. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 43.7%, from 126 to 181 cases, a trend that may align with seasonal factors such as more frequent use of outdoor spaces and increased presence of temporary residents. These increases contrast with declines in shoplifting (-23%) and other crime (-26.8%), suggesting a shifting crime mix. The area’s violent crime rate (3.1 per 1,000) is 8% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour remains 73% below national levels—a divergence that underscores the complexity of local crime patterns.

Westmorland and Furness saw an 8.1% rise in crime rate from 6.4 per 1,000 in July to 6.9 per 1,000 in August 2025. This increase, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns typical of August, a peak holiday month when tourism and temporary residents may contribute to shifting dynamics. On average, 51 crimes were reported daily in August, a figure that underscores the persistent presence of crime in the area despite the overall rate remaining 14.8% below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 145 residents, a statistic that frames the monthly exposure in relatable terms. This ratio is particularly notable in a region with a mix of rural and coastal communities, where sparse populations and transient visitors may amplify the visibility of crimes, even if the absolute numbers remain manageable. The population context—230,185 residents—further illustrates that while individual risk remains low, the cumulative impact of crime across the district is a factor warranting attention from both residents and local authorities.