Crime Rate in Lancaster: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Lancaster

The total recorded crimes in Lancaster, UK in May 2025 are around 1,379 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Lancaster crime rate of 9.65 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 Lancaster, encompassing approximately 142,939 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (432) incidents (-12.73% decrease)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (417) incidents (4.51% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (103) incidents (-9.65% decrease)
Lancaster Crime Hotspots

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

  • Calkeld Lane with total crimes: 22
  • Back Crescent Street with total crimes: 20
  • Tunstall Street with total crimes: 19

How safe is Lancaster?

To understand the safety of Lancaster, we need to analyze Lancaster 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:

    • Lancaster has recorded 16,860 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 117.95 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 80 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 14,859 crimes with a crime rate of 103.95, ranking it 112 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Lancashire:

    • In 2024, Lancaster reported a higher crime volume than the Lancashire average, with 16,860 crimes compared to 12,352. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Lancaster recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Lancaster experienced a greater number of crimes than the Lancashire average, with 14,859 crimes compared to 11,047. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Lancaster recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

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

Lancaster Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Poulton (173 crimes), and the safest, Silverdale (1 crimes), is 172 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Lancaster.

Similarly, the area of Lancaster Central (272 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Kellet & Lune Valley (18 crimes), with a difference of 254 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Lancaster.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Poulton173
Castle163
Bulk142
Westgate97
Harbour90

Safest Wards:

Torrisholme10
Warton10
Kellet8
Upper Lune Valley7
Silverdale1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Lancaster Central272
Morecambe Town194
Heysham & Overton106
Morecambe West End98
Morecambe Westgate97

Safest Areas:

Halton & Caton34
Moorlands & Greaves26
Hest Bank & Bolton-le-Sands22
Bare21
Kellet & Lune Valley18

Lancaster Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Lancaster has recorded 1,379 crimes with crime rate of 9.65 ranking 92th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2024, the total Lancaster crimes were 16,860. The crime rate of Lancaster in 2024 was 117.95 (year) or 9.83 (month) ranking it 80 danzarous in the UK. Lancaster ranked 3 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Lancaster were around 14,859 crimes with yearly crime rate of 103.95 (year) or 8.66 (month) ranking 112 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Lancashire, Lancaster ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 4 as per crime rate of Lancaster

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
Hyndburn930 312,594 310,826 3
Preston2,117 225,090 222,940 2
Burnley1,656 120,223 118,377 1

Lancaster Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (432 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (417 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (495 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (399 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (446 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (398 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 407 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 344 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (450 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (279 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 411 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 304 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (403 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (344 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (400 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (394 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (379 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (377 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (404 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (365 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 393 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 389 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 768 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 69.82 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 91 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202562
April 202557
March 202560
February 202558
January 202574
December 202491
November 202470
October 202471
September 202478
August 202462
July 202485

A total of 4177 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 379.73 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 495 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025432
April 2025495
March 2025446
February 2025344
January 2025279
December 2024304
November 2024344
October 2024400
September 2024379
August 2024365
July 2024389

A total of 320 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 29.09 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 41 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202535
March 202523
February 202535
January 202533
December 202422
November 202441
October 202425
September 202421
August 202422
July 202429

A total of 112 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 10.18 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202511
March 202512
February 20256
January 202510
December 20248
November 202412
October 20248
September 20246
August 202413
July 20248

A total of 313 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 28.45 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202531
April 202529
March 202530
February 202520
January 202531
December 202424
November 202431
October 202436
September 202432
August 202426
July 202423

A total of 715 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 65.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202576
April 202554
March 202582
February 202568
January 202554
December 202458
November 202455
October 202481
September 202472
August 202455
July 202460

A total of 605 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 55.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 79 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202550
April 202563
March 202561
February 202539
January 202541
December 202447
November 202443
October 202458
September 202479
August 202450
July 202474

A total of 768 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 69.82 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 99 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202576
April 202534
March 202555
February 202569
January 202565
December 202485
November 202461
October 202475
September 202499
August 202476
July 202473

A total of 157 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 14.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202510
March 202510
February 202512
January 20259
December 20247
November 202417
October 202413
September 202415
August 202424
July 202414

A total of 75 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.82 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20254
March 20253
February 202510
January 20255
December 20246
November 20242
October 20244
September 20247
August 202411
July 202414

A total of 51 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.64 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20255
March 20253
February 20254
January 20257
December 20244
November 20246
October 20245
September 20244
August 20243
July 20246

A total of 4453 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 404.82 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 450 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025417
April 2025399
March 2025398
February 2025407
January 2025450
December 2024411
November 2024403
October 2024394
September 2024377
August 2024404
July 2024393

A total of 496 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 45.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202535
March 202539
February 202550
January 202559
December 202450
November 202430
October 202445
September 202443
August 202462
July 202442

A total of 1250 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 113.64 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 134 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025103
April 2025114
March 2025121
February 2025105
January 202598
December 2024125
November 2024105
October 2024128
September 2024134
August 2024116
July 2024101

High Crime Locations Lancaster in May 2025

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

1. Calkeld Lane (Map)
Total22
Anti-social behaviour9
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
Vehicle crime1
Shoplifting1
Robbery1
Bicycle theft1
2. Back Crescent Street (Map)
Total20
Violence and sexual offences10
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson2
Shoplifting1
Robbery1
Public order1
Other theft1
Burglary1
3. Tunstall Street (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting16
Other theft2
Public order1
4. Market Street (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences8
Anti-social behaviour5
Shoplifting2
5. Water Street (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson2
Robbery1
Other theft1
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting3
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person1
Public order1

  • 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.