Garstang Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Garstang's crime rate in September 2025 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 13.5% below the UK average of 7.4. This relatively low rate is supported by a crime profile dominated by anti-social behaviour, which accounted for nearly half (47.6%) of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (21.4%) and shoplifting (14.3%). The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university freshers—may partly explain the mix of crime types observed, with anti-social behaviour likely influenced by increased youth activity in public spaces. While shoplifting and bicycle theft remain elevated compared to national averages, the overall crime rate suggests a stable environment for residents. The area's built-up nature within Wyre, combined with its small-town character, may contribute to the focus on localised incidents rather than broader urban challenges. However, the sharp rise in bicycle theft and drugs-related offences indicates new trends that warrant attention, linked to student populations and the transition from summer to autumn. The low crime rate, particularly in violent crimes compared to the UK average, may reflect effective community policing or the absence of large-scale commercial hubs that typically drive certain crime types. These factors, combined with the seasonal shift towards shorter evenings, create a unique local context that distinguishes Garstang from larger urban centres.

September 2025 saw three distinct 100% increases in crime categories: bicycle theft, drugs, and public order offences. These jumps, from zero to one and two incidents respectively, suggest emerging patterns that may be linked to the return of university students and the start of the academic term. In contrast, criminal damage and arson fell by 80% compared to August, possibly due to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity as nights lengthen. Violence and sexual offences also declined by 30.8%, a drop that may reflect the impact of school holidays ending and increased community presence in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour remains the most significant category, accounting for 47.6% of all incidents, and is 156% above the UK average. This stark divergence highlights a local challenge not seen nationally, tied to Garstang's small-town dynamics and the concentration of incidents in specific areas. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose by 48% above the UK average, indicating a need for targeted interventions in retail zones.

Garstang's crime rate in September 2025 fell by 20.7% compared to the previous month, dropping from 8.1 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the local context of shorter evenings and the start of the academic term, which may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. On a daily basis, Garstang recorded one crime per day in September, a figure that reflects the area's generally low crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 157 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the local population of 6,573, this suggests that most residents are unlikely to be directly affected by crime during any given month. The decrease from August to September is consistent with seasonal patterns observed in similar small towns, where reduced foot traffic and earlier curfews may contribute to lower crime rates. However, the data also highlights pockets of activity, such as the sharp rise in bicycle theft, which may be linked to the return of students to local campuses.