Garstang Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Garstang's crime rate in June 2024 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 50% below the UK average of 8.2. This places the area firmly in the category of low-crime built-up areas, a status reflected in the distribution of crime types. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 29.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.2% and shoplifting at 18.5%. These figures suggest a focus on personal safety and community behaviour as key areas of concern, though the overall rate remains significantly lower than national averages. The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer—likely contributes to patterns observed, such as the 50% drop in shoplifting, which may reflect shifts in consumer activity or increased policing during peak shopping hours. The relatively low rate of violent crime, 1.2 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.8, is consistent with Garstang's character as a small, possibly rural or semi-rural built-up area, where community cohesion and local engagement may act as deterrents. However, the 29% above UK average for shoplifting highlights a specific vulnerability, linked to local retail density or transient populations. These trends, while modest, illustrate the nuanced interplay between geography, seasonality, and crime patterns in a small built-up area. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, is 36% below the UK average, reinforcing the area's generally orderly social environment. This profile, while not immune to fluctuations, underscores the importance of maintaining local initiatives that support community safety and address specific risk factors.

June 2024 saw a marked reduction in shoplifting, with incidents halving from 10 to 5, a 50% decrease. This drop aligns with the start of summer, a period when retail foot traffic may shift toward online shopping or seasonal sales, potentially reducing opportunities for in-person theft. Conversely, other theft rose sharply by 200%, from one to three incidents, suggesting a possible increase in targeted crimes or unreported incidents. This category's rate of 0.5 per 1,000 is 14% below the UK average, but the surge in numbers highlights a need for vigilance. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 20%, from 10 to 8, a trend consistent with the area's generally low levels of violent crime. Shoplifting remains 29% above the UK average at 0.8 per 1,000, a figure that contrasts with the overall safety profile of Garstang. For residents, the 50% decline in shoplifting offers a tangible reassurance that local retail environments may be experiencing fewer disturbances during the summer months.

Garstang's crime rate in June 2024 dropped by 22.7% compared to the previous month, falling from 5.3 to 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the broader seasonal pattern observed in smaller built-up areas, where crime often stabilises as summer begins and local rhythms shift. On a daily basis, Garstang recorded one crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the area's consistently low crime profile. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, the data shows that over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 243 residents. This ratio underscores the relatively safe environment in Garstang, particularly when compared to the UK average, which sees a crime rate nearly double. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that the area's small size—home to 6,573 people—means that even minor fluctuations in crime numbers can have noticeable impacts on local statistics. This context is essential for residents, as it provides a clear understanding of how crime is distributed across the community relative to the broader UK landscape.