Crime Rate in Burnley: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Burnley

The total recorded crimes in Burnley, UK in May 2025 are around 1,656 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Burnley crime rate of 17.50 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Burnley, encompassing approximately 94,651 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (467) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (419) incidents (-12.71% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (216) incidents (31.71% increase)
Burnley Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 84
  • Police Station with total crimes: 42
  • Nightclub with total crimes: 33

How safe is Burnley?

To understand the safety of Burnley, we need to analyze Burnley crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Burnley has recorded 20,223 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 213.66 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 8 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 18,377 crimes with a crime rate of 194.16, ranking it 9 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Lancashire:

    • In 2024, Burnley reported a higher crime volume than the Lancashire average, with 20,223 crimes compared to 12,352. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Burnley recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Burnley experienced a greater number of crimes than the Lancashire average, with 18,377 crimes compared to 11,047. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Burnley recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Burnley is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Lancashire, Burnley has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Burnley Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Daneshouse with Stoneyholme (618 crimes), and the safest, Cliviger with Worsthorne (25 crimes), is 593 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Burnley.

Similarly, the area of Central Burnley & Daneshouse (666 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Cliviger, Worsthorne & Lane Bottom (34 crimes), with a difference of 632 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Burnley.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme618
Trinity173
Bank Hall146
Rosegrove with Lowerhouse91
Gawthorpe90

Safest Wards:

Coal Clough with Deerplay57
Gannow51
Whittlefield with Ightenhill37
Briercliffe35
Cliviger with Worsthorne25

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Burnley & Daneshouse666
Barclay Hills & Trinity244
Bank Hall & Fulledge149
Padiham132
Rose Hill & Burnley Wood126

Safest Areas:

Hapton & Lowerhouse51
Harle Syke & Lanehead49
Brunshaw & Brownside42
Habergham & Ightenhill36
Cliviger, Worsthorne & Lane Bottom34

Burnley Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Burnley has recorded 1,656 crimes with crime rate of 17.50 ranking 8th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2024, the total Burnley crimes were 20,223. The crime rate of Burnley in 2024 was 213.66 (year) or 17.80 (month) ranking it 8 danzarous in the UK. Burnley ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Burnley were around 18,377 crimes with yearly crime rate of 194.16 (year) or 16.18 (month) ranking 9 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Lancashire, Burnley ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Burnley

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley359 123,928 123,356 12
West Lancashire906 119,771 118,857 11
Fylde606 107,627 96,872 10
Chorley947 910,746 1010,199 9
Wyre960 810,924 89,988 8
South Ribble900 711,636 710,276 7
Rossendale638 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle1,024 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster1,379 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn930 312,594 310,826 3
Preston2,117 225,090 222,940 2

Burnley Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (467 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (419 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (480 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (467 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (455 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (445 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 339 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 333 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (381 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (328 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 444 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 398 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (462 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (408 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (461 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (381 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (430 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (391 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (492 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (431 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 486 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 470 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (1100 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (842 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 558 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 46.50 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 97 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202542
April 202541
March 202543
February 202537
January 202597
December 202452
November 202434
October 202442
September 202441
August 202434
July 202433
June 202462

A total of 871 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 72.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 178 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202574
April 202561
March 202565
February 202544
January 202559
December 202442
November 202449
October 202479
September 202480
August 202473
July 202467
June 2024178

A total of 1912 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 159.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 332 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025216
April 2025164
March 2025134
February 2025111
January 2025121
December 2024105
November 2024151
October 2024155
September 2024131
August 2024154
July 2024138
June 2024332

A total of 5869 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 489.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1100 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025467
April 2025467
March 2025445
February 2025333
January 2025328
December 2024398
November 2024462
October 2024461
September 2024430
August 2024492
July 2024486
June 20241100

A total of 82 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 20256
March 20255
February 20253
January 20254
December 20242
November 20247
October 202415
September 20247
August 20246
July 202412
June 20244

A total of 447 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 37.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202540
March 202544
February 202534
January 202536
December 202439
November 202425
October 202433
September 202432
August 202433
July 202440
June 202464

A total of 90 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202511
March 20253
February 20255
January 20253
December 20244
November 20245
October 20247
September 202410
August 20249
July 20249
June 202414

A total of 820 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 68.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202567
April 202546
March 202544
February 202559
January 202553
December 202443
November 202447
October 2024115
September 202482
August 202457
July 202471
June 2024136

A total of 191 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202520
April 202515
March 202514
February 202514
January 202512
December 202411
November 202413
October 202414
September 202416
August 202418
July 202416
June 202428

A total of 717 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 59.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 172 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202556
April 202537
March 202545
February 202555
January 202539
December 202443
November 202451
October 202459
September 202464
August 202448
July 202448
June 2024172

A total of 1407 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 117.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 216 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025104
April 2025103
March 2025130
February 202590
January 2025102
December 202484
November 2024105
October 2024112
September 2024106
August 2024132
July 2024123
June 2024216

A total of 1072 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 89.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 192 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025129
April 202567
March 202565
February 202555
January 202561
December 202469
November 202475
October 202483
September 2024102
August 202480
July 202494
June 2024192

A total of 191 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202515
March 202511
February 202511
January 202511
December 20249
November 202414
October 202414
September 202411
August 202416
July 202425
June 202440

A total of 5441 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 453.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 842 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025419
April 2025480
March 2025455
February 2025339
January 2025381
December 2024444
November 2024408
October 2024381
September 2024391
August 2024431
July 2024470
June 2024842

High Crime Locations Burnley in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Burnley postcode area is presented below.

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total84
Anti-social behaviour30
Other theft12
Violence and sexual offences9
Public order9
Criminal damage and arson6
Shoplifting3
Robbery3
Possession of weapons3
Drugs3
Burglary3
Bicycle theft3
2. Police Station (Map)
Total42
Anti-social behaviour36
Other theft3
Other crime3
3. Nightclub (Map)
Total33
Violence and sexual offences12
Drugs9
Anti-social behaviour6
Shoplifting3
Criminal damage and arson3
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total33
Shoplifting30
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting12
Anti-social behaviour12
Public order3
Other theft3
6. Bull Street (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting15
Violence and sexual offences6
Possession of weapons3
Other theft3

To know about postcode areas in Burnley, visit Burnley information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.