Thornton (Wyre) Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 18,807, Thornton (Wyre) recorded 106 crimes in July 2023, translating to a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents. This places the area 32.5% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently lower crime profile compared to the national benchmark. The breakdown of offences reveals anti-social behaviour as the most prevalent category, contributing 35.9% of all reported crimes—significantly higher than the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000 (41% above). Violence and sexual offences followed, accounting for 30.2% of incidents, but at a rate 39% below the UK average. These patterns may partly reflect the area's character as a built-up district with limited urban density, where community cohesion and policing efforts could contribute to lower violent crime rates. Seasonal factors in July—such as extended daylight, school holidays, and local festivals—may have amplified anti-social behaviour, particularly in public spaces. However, the absence of sharp increases in property crimes like burglary (0.9% of total) suggests that local initiatives or environmental design might deter such offences. The data also shows shoplifting at 9.4% of total crimes, 17% below the UK average, which could be influenced by the area's retail mix or lower foot traffic during peak summer months. Overall, the crime picture illustrates a balance between community-specific dynamics and broader seasonal influences, with a notable contrast to national trends.

July 2023 saw stark fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 400% (1 to 5 incidents) and shoplifting increasing by the same percentage (2 to 10). These jumps may reflect heightened summer activity, such as festivals or outdoor events, which could draw transient populations and increase opportunities for theft. Conversely, burglary fell by 75% (4 to 1), due to seasonal factors like reduced overnight stays or improved security measures. Violence and sexual offences also dropped by 22% (41 to 32), though this remains 39% below the UK average. The crime mix shifted with property crimes (29 incidents) comprising 27.4% of total offences—lower than the 30.2% share for violent crimes—suggesting a temporary decline in property-related incidents. Anti-social behaviour, however, dominated the landscape, with its rate (2.0 per 1,000) 41% above the UK average. This could indicate challenges in managing public spaces during peak summer months, though it may also reflect the area's limited capacity for informal social control. For residents, the sharp rise in vehicle crime highlights the need for vigilance in parking areas, particularly during events that attract larger crowds.

The crime rate in July 2023 rose slightly to 5.6 per 1,000 from 5.4 per 1,000 in June, marking a 4.1% increase. Over the course of the month, this translated to roughly 3 crimes reported per day—equivalent to one crime for every 177 residents. While this daily frequency may seem low, it is essential to contextualise it within the area's population size and local dynamics. The monthly exposure figure of 1-in-177 residents underscores that most residents are unlikely to experience crime directly, though the concentration of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting could create pockets of concern in high-traffic areas. Compared to the UK average, Thornton (Wyre) remains a safer area, with its overall rate 32.5% lower than the national figure. This disparity may be attributed to the built-up area's smaller scale, which could facilitate more effective policing or community engagement. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime and shoplifting suggests that local challenges—such as managing transient populations during festivals or ensuring adequate security in retail zones—require targeted attention. For residents, the data reinforces that while crime is relatively rare, certain categories demand awareness, particularly during peak summer periods when foot traffic and events may amplify specific risks.