Garstang Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Garstang’s October 2023 crime picture, accounting for 35.1% of the 37 reported crimes. This category alone recorded 13 incidents, significantly below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 residents. The area’s overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 30% reduction compared to the national average, a disparity consistent with Garstang’s character as a small built-up area within Wyre’s rural landscape. Anti-social behaviour matched violence in frequency, contributing 35.1% of the total, though this category was 56% above the UK average. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—likely influenced patterns, with increased indoor activity potentially reducing outdoor crimes while amplifying incidents in public spaces. Property crimes, though lower in absolute numbers, showed a stark contrast: shoplifting incidents fell by 60% from 10 to 4 compared to the previous month, possibly reflecting reduced foot traffic during the month. The area’s low vehicle crime rate (0.2 per 1,000) and minimal criminal damage (2.7% of total crimes) align with its rural setting, where fewer vehicles and commercial properties may limit opportunities for such offences. These figures illustrate a crime profile shaped by both local demographics and seasonal rhythms, with violence and anti-social behaviour emerging as the most persistent challenges.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in Garstang’s crime mix, with three categories rising sharply: other crime, bicycle theft, and other theft each doubled compared to September. This increase may partly explain the 35.1% share of anti-social behaviour, which remained stable despite the month’s darker evenings. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 60%, from 10 to 4 incidents—a drop consistent with reduced retail activity during the month. Violent crimes, while still the largest category, were 26% below the UK average (2.0 vs 2.7 per 1,000), a contrast to anti-social behaviour, which was 56% above the UK average. The spike in bicycle theft (1 incident) and other crime (1 incident) highlights the need for vigilance in areas with higher concentrations of cyclists or transient populations. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 50%, and criminal damage fell by two-thirds, potentially reflecting the quieter pace of rural life during October. These fluctuations underscore the combination of local conditions and seasonal factors in shaping Garstang’s crime trends.

Garstang’s October 2023 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 2.6% decline from the previous month’s 5.8, a marginal but consistent downward trend. Daily crime statistics show that 1 incident occurred per day on average in October, a figure that, while seemingly low, translates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 178 residents. This rate is lower than the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 2.0 per 1,000 (compared to the UK’s 2.7) and vehicle crime at 0.2 per 1,000 (against the UK’s 0.5). However, anti-social behaviour’s 56% above the UK average (2.0 vs 1.3) raises questions about community dynamics in Garstang. For residents, this means that while the area is statistically safer than the national average, targeted efforts may be needed to address anti-social behaviour in public spaces. The 1-in-178 resident monthly exposure figure also contextualises the low frequency of crime, making it a relatively secure place compared to larger urban centres. These comparisons highlight the importance of maintaining local initiatives that address specific challenges, such as anti-social behaviour, while capitalising on the area’s naturally lower crime propensity.