Crime Rate in Preston: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Preston

The total recorded crimes in Preston, UK in March 2025 are around 1,993 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Preston crime rate of 13.48 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 Preston, encompassing approximately 147,834 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Mar were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (632) incidents (20.15% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (604) incidents (24.54% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (133) incidents (70.51% increase)
Preston Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 40
  • Nightclub with total crimes: 17
  • Nightclub with total crimes: 17

How safe is Preston?

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

    • Preston has recorded 25,090 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 169.72 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 17 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 22,940 crimes with a crime rate of 155.17, ranking it 18 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Lancashire:

    • In 2024, Preston reported a higher crime volume than the Lancashire average, with 25,090 crimes compared to 12,352. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Preston recorded fewer crimes than 11 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Preston experienced a greater number of crimes than the Lancashire average, with 22,940 crimes compared to 11,047. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Preston recorded fewer crimes than 11 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

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

Preston Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, City Centre (501 crimes), and the safest, Preston Rural North (30 crimes), is 471 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Preston.

Similarly, the area of Preston Town Centre (447 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Haslam Park (30 crimes), with a difference of 417 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Preston.

Most Dangerous Wards:

City Centre501
Plungington195
St Matthew's162
Deepdale159
Ashton149

Safest Wards:

Garrison56
Lea & Larches55
Greyfriars40
Cadley37
Preston Rural North30

Most Dangerous Areas:

Preston Town Centre447
Plungington & University207
Brookfield & Holme Slack178
Frenchwood & Fishwick134
Moor Park125

Safest Areas:

Broughton & Wychnor60
Fulwood52
Cadley & College45
Grimsargh & Goosnargh34
Haslam Park30

Preston Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Preston has recorded 43 crimes with crime rate of 0.62 ranking 14153th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 15 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 14 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2024, the total Preston crimes were 25,090. The crime rate of Preston in 2024 was 169.72 (year) or 14.14 (month) ranking it 17 danzarous in the UK. Preston ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Preston were around 22,940 crimes with yearly crime rate of 155.17 (year) or 12.93 (month) ranking 18 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Lancashire, Preston ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 2 as per crime rate of Preston

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley290 123,928 123,356 12
West Lancashire785 119,771 118,857 11
Fylde625 107,627 96,872 10
Chorley785 910,746 1010,199 9
Wyre935 810,924 89,988 8
South Ribble921 711,636 710,276 7
Rossendale589 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle886 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster1,343 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn1,063 312,594 310,826 3
Burnley1,503 120,223 118,377 1

Preston Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (632 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (604 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 526 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 485 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (582 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (507 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 606 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 429 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (578 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (495 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (629 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (523 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (565 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (556 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (664 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (588 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 679 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 592 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (1378 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (1218 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 860 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 86.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 176 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202559
February 202548
January 202550
December 202484
November 202454
October 202470
September 202499
August 2024135
July 202485
June 2024176

A total of 6332 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 633.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1218 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025604
February 2025485
January 2025582
December 2024606
November 2024578
October 2024523
September 2024556
August 2024588
July 2024592
June 20241218

A total of 682 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 68.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 120 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202570
February 202541
January 202552
December 202472
November 202440
October 202454
September 202463
August 2024114
July 202456
June 2024120

A total of 224 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 22.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202520
February 202517
January 202516
December 202415
November 202414
October 202424
September 202427
August 202428
July 202425
June 202438

A total of 6504 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 650.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1378 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025632
February 2025526
January 2025507
December 2024429
November 2024495
October 2024629
September 2024565
August 2024664
July 2024679
June 20241378

A total of 232 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 23.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202528
February 202521
January 202517
December 202414
November 202415
October 202413
September 202418
August 202429
July 202429
June 202448

A total of 1395 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 139.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 316 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025122
February 202597
January 2025123
December 2024119
November 202494
October 2024145
September 202499
August 2024132
July 2024148
June 2024316

A total of 1165 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 116.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 252 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202598
February 202593
January 202590
December 202491
November 202497
October 2024111
September 202497
August 2024114
July 2024122
June 2024252

A total of 88 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 8.80 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20259
February 20253
January 20259
December 202411
November 20248
October 20249
September 20245
August 202411
July 202413
June 202410

A total of 1035 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 103.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 212 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025109
February 202574
January 202567
December 202467
November 202494
October 202492
September 2024100
August 2024111
July 2024109
June 2024212

A total of 206 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 20.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202521
February 202516
January 202511
December 202410
November 202414
October 202420
September 202428
August 202424
July 202422
June 202440

A total of 480 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 48.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 94 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202544
February 202536
January 202543
December 202436
November 202453
October 202448
September 202451
August 202437
July 202438
June 202494

A total of 480 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 48.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202544
February 202543
January 202543
December 202456
November 202451
October 202458
September 202437
August 202442
July 202436
June 202470

A total of 1424 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 142.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 292 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025133
February 202578
January 2025119
December 2024121
November 2024112
October 2024136
September 2024153
August 2024132
July 2024148
June 2024292

High Crime Locations Preston in March 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total40
Violence and sexual offences19
Anti-social behaviour9
Public order4
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson2
Burglary2
Theft from the person1
2. Nightclub (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences10
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order2
Robbery1
3. Nightclub (Map)
Total17
Anti-social behaviour12
Other theft3
Shoplifting2
4. Ridgeford Gardens (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences16
5. Nightclub (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting3
Robbery1
Other crime1
6. Cheapside (Map)
Total15
Shoplifting9
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order1
Other crime1

  • 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.