Crime Rate in Preston: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Preston

The total recorded crimes in Preston, Preston in January 2025 are around 1,729 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Preston crime rate of 11.70 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (582) incidents (-3.96% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (507) incidents (18.18% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (123) incidents (3.36% increase)
Preston Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 38
  • Ridgeford Gardens with total crimes: 30
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 23

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 (434 crimes), and the safest, Preston Rural North (31 crimes), is 403 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Preston.

Similarly, the area of Preston Town Centre (392 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Haslam Park (33 crimes), with a difference of 359 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Preston.

Most Dangerous Wards:

City Centre434
Plungington155
St Matthew's145
Brookfield123
Ashton111

Safest Wards:

Lea & Larches60
Greyfriars53
Garrison46
Cadley43
Preston Rural North31

Most Dangerous Areas:

Preston Town Centre392
Plungington & University176
Brookfield & Holme Slack144
Ribbleton118
St Matthew's113

Safest Areas:

Fulwood62
Ingol51
Grimsargh & Goosnargh50
Cadley & College45
Haslam Park33

Preston Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the Preston has recorded 1,729 crimes with crime rate of 11.70 ranking 20th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 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

CityJanuary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley292 123,928 123,356 12
West Lancashire651 119,771 118,857 11
Fylde527 97,627 96,872 10
Chorley746 1010,746 1010,199 9
Wyre796 710,924 89,988 8
South Ribble760 811,636 710,276 7
Rossendale534 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle780 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster1,215 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn828 312,594 310,826 3
Burnley1,307 120,223 118,377 1

Preston Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 852 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 106.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 212 reported cases.

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

A total of 187 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 23.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 38 reported cases.

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

A total of 400 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 50.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 94 reported cases.

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

A total of 76 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 9.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 13 reported cases.

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

A total of 571 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 71.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 120 reported cases.

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

A total of 5243 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 655.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1218 reported cases.

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

A total of 974 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 121.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 252 reported cases.

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

A total of 183 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 22.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 48 reported cases.

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

A total of 169 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 21.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 40 reported cases.

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

A total of 393 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 49.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 70 reported cases.

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

A total of 753 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 94.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 176 reported cases.

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

A total of 5346 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 668.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1378 reported cases.

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

A total of 1176 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 147.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 316 reported cases.

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

A total of 1213 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 151.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 292 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations Preston in January 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total38
Violence and sexual offences20
Anti-social behaviour10
Public order3
Other theft2
Criminal damage and arson2
Possession of weapons1
2. Ridgeford Gardens (Map)
Total30
Violence and sexual offences30
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total23
Shoplifting17
Anti-social behaviour4
Other crime1
Drugs1
4. Grafton Road (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting19
5. Market Street (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour11
Violence and sexual offences4
Drugs1
Criminal damage and arson1
Bicycle theft1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences6
Shoplifting4
Vehicle crime1
Theft from the person1
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.