Poulton-le-Fylde Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 saw Poulton-le-Fylde record 46 crimes across its population of 11,233, translating to a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents—42.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 16.3% monthly decline from November’s 4.9 per 1,000, reflects the area’s consistent position as a low-crime locale. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences (18 cases, 39.1% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (10 cases, 21.7%). The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and holiday-related absences—likely contributed to the mix of crime patterns observed. While violent crimes dominated, property crimes remained relatively low, with shoplifting dropping by 66.7% compared to November. The area’s rural character, coupled with its proximity to coastal and commuter routes, may explain the lower-than-UK-average rates for vehicle crime (50% below) and burglary (68% below). The sharp increase in criminal damage and arson, however, suggests a potential link to seasonal factors such as increased property maintenance during the festive period or isolated incidents tied to the area’s built-up nature. Overall, the data illustrates a balance between seasonal pressures and the area’s generally safe environment, with community-focused initiatives likely playing a role in sustaining lower crime levels.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in criminal damage and arson, which surged by 300% (1 to 4 cases). This spike, though small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 66.7% drop in shoplifting (3 to 1 cases), a decline consistent with reduced foot traffic during holiday closures. Violent crimes accounted for 39.1% of all incidents, outpacing property crimes for the first time in recent months, a shift that may partly reflect seasonal factors such as late-night gatherings during the festive period. Vehicle crime fell by 33.3% (3 to 2 cases), aligning with the area’s lower-than-UK-average rate (50% below). Residents may find the 82% reduction in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it suggests fewer opportunities for theft during a typically busy retail month. The 38% below UK average for violence and sexual offences (1.6 per 1,000) further underscores the area’s relatively safe profile despite the spikes in specific categories.

Poulton-le-Fylde’s December 2024 crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents marks a 16.3% decline from the previous month’s 4.9 per 1,000. This downward trend contrasts with the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, placing the area 42.3% below national levels. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 244 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local households. Daily crime statistics show an average of one crime per day across the built-up area, a rate that remains lower than the UK’s broader patterns. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Poulton-le-Fylde’s crime profile is markedly less severe than the national average, with the area’s rural character and community-focused policing likely contributing to this relative safety. While the daily figure may seem high for a small area, it is balanced by the low overall rate and the absence of major urban pressures typically associated with higher crime concentrations.