Garstang Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Garstang's December 2025 crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents marked a 15.7% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, reflecting the area's generally low crime profile. The most prevalent categories were anti-social behaviour (13 cases, 33.3% of total crimes) and violence and sexual offences (13 cases, 33.3%), both of which showed distinct deviations from national trends. Anti-social behaviour, in particular, was 115% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000, a disparity that may be influenced by the area's small, close-knit community dynamics and the seasonal pressures of December. Shoplifting also emerged as a notable concern, with 8 cases (20.5% of total crimes) and an 111% increase over the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This aligns with the festive season's retail activity, which often drives such offences. Conversely, property crimes like burglary (1 case, 2.6% of total) were 29% below the UK average, potentially due to fewer opportunities during the holiday period when homes are unoccupied. The overall rate, though lower than the national average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas like anti-social behaviour, which remain high. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, Christmas shopping, and party season—likely contributed to these patterns, with increased foot traffic and social gatherings exacerbating certain types of crime. While the area's low overall rate suggests effective community policing or demographic factors, the elevated rates in specific categories indicate areas requiring further attention.

December 2025 saw a 700% surge in shoplifting cases, rising from one to eight incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened retail activity during the Christmas shopping period. Simultaneously, possession of weapons crimes doubled from zero to one, indicating an unusual spike in such offences. Violence and sexual offences also rose by 18.2%, from 11 to 13 cases, a change that could be linked to the festive season's social dynamics. Anti-social behaviour remained the most common category, accounting for 33.3% of all crimes, and was 115% above the UK average. This contrasts with decreases in burglary (-66.7%) and criminal damage and arson (-50%), which may reflect seasonal factors such as empty homes during holidays reducing opportunities for property crime. These shifts underscore the combination of local demographics and seasonal events in shaping crime patterns.

Garstang's crime rate in December 2025 rose 11.5% from the previous month's 5.3 per 1,000 to 5.9 per 1,000, marking a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure consistent with the area's generally low crime profile. When scaled to the population of 6,573, this translates to one reported crime for every 169 residents over the course of the month, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents. While the overall rate remains 15.7% below the UK average, the area's unique crime mix—particularly the elevated rates of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting—demonstrates distinct local patterns. These figures suggest that while Garstang is statistically safer than the national average, specific challenges related to community engagement and retail security may require targeted attention.