Garstang Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2024, Garstang recorded 30 crimes across its population of 6,573 residents, translating to a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 people—40.3% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure places Garstang among the lowest crime areas in the UK, a pattern consistent with its character as a small built-up area within the Wyre district. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 10 incidents (33.3% of total crimes), followed by shoplifting (8 incidents, 26.7%). While the rate of violence (1.5 per 1,000) remains 41% below the UK average, shoplifting in Garstang (1.2 per 1,000) is 79% higher than the national average of 0.7 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect the area’s retail density, as shoplifting rates in small towns with concentrated high streets often exceed national averages. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter and spring weather—likely influenced crime patterns, with increased outdoor activity potentially contributing to the 100% rise in criminal damage and arson. However, the absence of a corresponding increase in other property crimes suggests that this spike may have been isolated to specific incidents rather than a broader trend. The area’s overall safety profile, combined with its lower-than-average rates for anti-social behaviour and public order offences, indicates a community that maintains relatively low levels of disruptive crime despite its proximity to larger urban centres.

April 2024 saw three crime types increase by 100% compared to March: criminal damage and arson, other crime, and bicycle theft. This surge in criminal damage and arson—rising from zero to one incident—may reflect heightened outdoor activity during spring, though no direct link to Easter events is confirmed. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 42.9% (from seven to four incidents), a decrease that aligns with seasonal patterns of reduced public gatherings. Shoplifting also dropped by 33.3% (from 12 to eight incidents), suggesting a temporary lull in retail-related crime. Bicycle theft in Garstang reached 0.2 per 1,000 residents, 186% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly may indicate a growing local cycling population or targeted theft in specific areas. The rate of violence and sexual offences (1.5 per 1,000) remains 41% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect Garstang’s smaller, more tightly knit community structure.

In April 2024, Garstang recorded 30 crimes across its population of 6,573 residents, equating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 219 residents. This follows a 9.2% reduction in the area’s crime rate compared to March, which stood at 5.0 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one crime per day in April, a figure that may reflect seasonal fluctuations typical of spring in this part of the UK. When scaled to the population, the rate of 4.6 per 1,000 means that a resident has a 1-in-219 chance of being directly affected by crime during the month. This compares to the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, highlighting Garstang’s consistently lower crime profile. The shift in crime types from March—particularly the drop in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting—suggests a possible alignment with Easter-related activity patterns, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this. The daily crime figure, while low, remains a useful benchmark for residents and local authorities to monitor trends over time.