Fleetwood Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Fleetwood’s crime rate in December 2023 stood at 11.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 58.3% above the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This elevated rate reflects a combination of local factors, including the built-up nature of the area within Wyre and seasonal influences tied to the Christmas period. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 39.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.6%) and criminal damage and arson (12.2%). These figures are consistent with the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where high foot traffic and seasonal events may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal and property-related crimes. The December data also highlights the impact of the festive season, with dark evenings and reduced retail hours potentially influencing crime patterns. For instance, the sharp decline in shoplifting (86.5%) may be partly explained by the closure of some businesses over the holidays, though this was offset by a 200% increase in ‘other crime’—a category that may include unclassified or underreported incidents. The prominence of anti-social behaviour, which was 169% above the UK average, suggests ongoing challenges in managing community disorder, exacerbated by the transient population associated with seasonal migration or the area’s proximity to transport networks. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of vehicle crime (5 incidents) and shoplifting (5 incidents), which were 56% and 59% below the UK average respectively, may indicate effective local policing strategies or a reduced demand for such crimes in a community with fewer vehicles or retail premises. These trends underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the persistent issues of violence and anti-social behaviour, while also capitalising on the factors that have contributed to the recent declines in certain categories.

December 2023 saw notable fluctuations in crime trends, with three categories experiencing significant increases. Other crime surged by 200%, rising from 2 to 6 incidents, a shift that may reflect underreported or newly emerging criminal activities. Robbery also rose sharply, doubling from 0 to 1 incident, while burglary increased by 66.7%, climbing from 6 to 10 cases. These rises contrasted with sharp declines in shoplifting, which fell by 86.5% (37 to 5), and vehicle crime, which dropped by 44.4% (9 to 5). The drop in shoplifting aligns with seasonal factors, as festive closures and reduced retail hours likely curbed opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 26.8% (82 to 60), possibly due to holiday-related social dynamics or increased community engagement during the festive period. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, contributing 39.2% of all crimes, and were 72% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect local demographic or geographic factors such as the area’s proximity to transport hubs or transient populations.

Fleetwood's December 2023 crime rate of 11.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 12.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 13.0 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a seasonal shift in criminal activity, as festive closures and reduced foot traffic in retail areas may have curbed opportunities for theft and anti-social behaviour. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 9 crimes per day, a figure that, while local to Fleetwood, reflects a concentrated pattern of incidents in specific hotspots. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 87 residents, highlighting the density of incidents in a built-up area with a population of 24,308. This monthly exposure rate underscores the need for targeted policing in high-incident zones, though the overall drop from November suggests a temporary moderation in activity. The population context further reveals that Fleetwood’s crime rate remains significantly higher than the UK average, with 58.3% above the national benchmark, indicating persistent local challenges that may be influenced by the area’s socio-economic profile and seasonal rhythms.