Garstang Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Garstang's July 2023 crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents places it 63.9% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, a gap that reflects the area's distinct characteristics as a built-up area within Wyre. This low rate is consistent with the profile of small towns where community cohesion and limited urban density can contribute to reduced crime levels. The most common crime type was shoplifting, accounting for 45% of all reported incidents (9 cases), a figure that is 133% above the UK average for this category. This anomaly may be partly explained by Garstang's seasonal context: July is a peak month for tourism, festivals, and outdoor events, factors that can drive retail-related offences in smaller towns. Violence and sexual offences, at 4 cases (20% of total crimes), were 78% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), a trend that aligns with the area's likely demographic profile of older residents and limited nightlife activity. Anti-social behaviour (3 cases) and other theft (3 cases) also fell significantly below UK averages, further reinforcing the area's overall safety profile. The crime mix in Garstang suggests a focus on property-related offences, with shoplifting dominating the landscape. This pattern may be influenced by the town's retail presence and the transient nature of summer visitors, who may be more inclined to engage in opportunistic theft. The low levels of violent crime, meanwhile, are consistent with the characteristics of small, rural-adjacent communities where social interactions are often more closely knit. As a built-up area within Wyre, Garstang's crime profile reflects a balance between urban and rural dynamics, with seasonal fluctuations playing a key role in shaping monthly trends.

July 2023 saw a 350% increase in shoplifting cases, rising from 2 to 9 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with a 76.9% decline in anti-social behaviour, which dropped from 13 to 3 cases. The shift in crime mix is notable: property crimes (13) now make up 65% of total crimes, compared to violent crimes (4) at 20%. This reflects a broader trend in smaller built-up areas, where retail-related offences often dominate during peak tourist months. Shoplifting in Garstang is 133% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), a disparity that may partly explain the area's overall lower crime rate despite the spike in this category. Conversely, violence and sexual offences in Garstang are 78% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), a figure that suggests the area's social dynamics differ markedly from national trends. For residents, the 350% increase in shoplifting is a concrete data point that may warrant attention from local retailers and community groups.

Garstang's crime rate in July 2023 (3.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 48.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical summer patterns observed in small built-up areas, where seasonal tourism and festival activity often shift criminal activity away from routine patterns. On a daily basis, Garstang recorded roughly one crime per day in July, a figure that reflects the area's low overall crime rate relative to national averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 329 residents—a statistic that, when contextualised against Garstang's population of 6,573, highlights the relatively low level of exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. This monthly exposure figure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of how infrequently crime occurs in their immediate environment. The contrast with the UK average is stark: Garstang's rate is 63.9% below the national figure, a gap that underscores the area's unique position within the broader crime profile.