Garstang Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked a notable divergence in Garstang’s crime profile, with violence and sexual offences reported at 1.2 per 1,000 residents—53% below the UK average. This category, which includes assault and sexual offences, was the most common crime type, accounting for 26.7% of all incidents. The overall crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents places Garstang firmly in the safer end of the UK spectrum, 35.2% below the national average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, with 8 incidents reported, though this remains 28% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. The seasonal context of December—characterised by dark evenings, holiday gatherings, and empty homes—likely contributed to these patterns. Vehicle crime, at 0.8 per 1,000, was 100% above the UK average, possibly linked to increased car usage during the festive season and the area’s proximity to major roads. Other theft, at 0.6 per 1,000, was 11% above the UK average, reflecting a persistent but manageable trend. In contrast, shoplifting and criminal damage fell below UK averages, with the latter at 0.3 per 1,000—43% lower than the national figure. These findings highlight Garstang’s unique balance between low overall crime and specific vulnerabilities, shaped by its rural-adjacent location and seasonal dynamics.

December 2024 saw a 400% increase in vehicle crime, rising from one to five incidents. This surge may partly explain the overall rate increase, though it remains 100% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, with 8 incidents reported—28% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. This category, which includes disturbances and public disorder, may reflect seasonal factors such as holiday gatherings. Conversely, shoplifting fell to 2 incidents, 47% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, likely due to reduced retail activity during the Christmas period. Other theft also rose, with a 300% increase from one to four incidents, though this remains 11% above the UK average. These shifts illustrate how local crime patterns can fluctuate dramatically in response to seasonal rhythms, even within a small community.

Garstang's crime rate in December 2024 rose 57.8% compared to November 2024, moving from 2.9 to 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. This increase, though substantial, remains 35.2% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 219 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 6,573. On a daily basis, Garstang recorded approximately one crime per day in December, a rate that, while low compared to national averages, reflects the area’s character as a relatively small, rural-adjacent built-up area with limited urban density. This daily frequency is lower than the UK average of roughly two crimes per day, suggesting a consistent pattern of lower overall criminal activity in this region. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even with the month-on-month rise, Garstang remains one of the safer areas in the UK, with crime levels that are both statistically and practically manageable for local residents.