Crime Rate in Preston: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Preston

The total recorded crimes in Preston, UK in July 2025 are around 2,146 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Preston crime rate of 14.52 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 Jul were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (714) incidents (20.61% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (656) incidents (8.79% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (146) incidents (5.80% increase)
Preston Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 52
  • Grafton Road with total crimes: 30
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 15

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 (489 crimes), and the safest, Greyfriars (36 crimes), is 453 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Preston.

Similarly, the area of Preston Town Centre (442 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Haslam Park (42 crimes), with a difference of 400 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Preston.

Most Dangerous Wards:

City Centre489
St Matthew's221
Brookfield177
Deepdale161
Plungington148

Safest Wards:

Fishwick & Frenchwood84
Cadley58
Garrison48
Preston Rural North39
Greyfriars36

Most Dangerous Areas:

Preston Town Centre442
Brookfield & Holme Slack199
Plungington & University176
St Matthew's163
Ribbleton161

Safest Areas:

Ingol74
Grimsargh & Goosnargh57
Fulwood48
Cadley & College45
Haslam Park42

Preston Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Preston has recorded 2,146 crimes with crime rate of 14.52 ranking 13828th 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

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley329 123,928 123,356 12
West Lancashire1,002 119,771 118,857 11
Fylde711 107,627 96,872 10
Chorley928 910,746 1010,199 9
Wyre952 810,924 89,988 8
South Ribble994 711,636 710,276 7
Rossendale638 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle974 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster1,328 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn1,103 312,594 310,826 3
Burnley1,677 120,223 118,377 1

Preston Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 714 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 656 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (603 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (592 cases).

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (654 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (625 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (633 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (509 incidents) also being high.

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1171 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 97.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025109
June 2025101
May 202590
April 202580
March 202598
February 202593
January 202590
December 202491
November 202497
October 2024111
September 202497
August 2024114

A total of 1489 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 124.08 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 165 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025125
June 2025165
May 2025143
April 2025125
March 2025122
February 202597
January 2025123
December 2024119
November 202494
October 2024145
September 202499
August 2024132

A total of 561 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 46.75 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 58 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202550
June 202535
May 202550
April 202552
March 202544
February 202543
January 202543
December 202456
November 202451
October 202458
September 202437
August 202442

A total of 233 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.42 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202527
June 202522
May 202522
April 202518
March 202521
February 202516
January 202511
December 202410
November 202414
October 202420
September 202428
August 202424

A total of 254 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.17 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202522
June 202526
May 202526
April 202525
March 202528
February 202521
January 202517
December 202414
November 202415
October 202413
September 202418
August 202429

A total of 1143 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 95.25 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 118 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025103
June 2025118
May 2025101
April 2025107
March 2025109
February 202574
January 202567
December 202467
November 202494
October 202492
September 2024100
August 2024111

A total of 6915 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 576.25 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 656 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025656
June 2025603
May 2025625
April 2025509
March 2025604
February 2025485
January 2025582
December 2024606
November 2024578
October 2024523
September 2024556
August 2024588

A total of 512 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 42.67 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 53 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202544
June 202531
May 202545
April 202544
March 202544
February 202536
January 202543
December 202436
November 202453
October 202448
September 202451
August 202437

A total of 279 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 23.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202527
June 202525
May 202545
April 202521
March 202520
February 202517
January 202516
December 202415
November 202414
October 202424
September 202427
August 202428

A total of 7040 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 586.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 714 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025714
June 2025592
May 2025654
April 2025633
March 2025632
February 2025526
January 2025507
December 2024429
November 2024495
October 2024629
September 2024565
August 2024664

A total of 96 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20258
May 202511
April 20256
March 20259
February 20253
January 20259
December 202411
November 20248
October 20249
September 20245
August 202411

A total of 1538 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 128.17 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 153 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025146
June 2025138
May 2025138
April 2025132
March 2025133
February 202578
January 2025119
December 2024121
November 2024112
October 2024136
September 2024153
August 2024132

A total of 913 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 76.08 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 135 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202570
June 202568
May 202596
April 202580
March 202559
February 202548
January 202550
December 202484
November 202454
October 202470
September 202499
August 2024135

A total of 743 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 61.92 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202547
June 202563
May 202571
April 202556
March 202570
February 202541
January 202552
December 202472
November 202440
October 202454
September 202463
August 2024114

High Crime Locations Preston in July 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total52
Violence and sexual offences32
Anti-social behaviour10
Public order6
Other theft2
Possession of weapons1
Other crime1
2. Grafton Road (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting29
Other theft1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total15
Anti-social behaviour6
Shoplifting3
Robbery2
Public order2
Burglary1
Bicycle theft1
4. Cumeragh Lane (Map)
Total14
Public order6
Anti-social behaviour5
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Jacson Street (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour4
Drugs2
6. Westfield Drive (Map)
Total11
Anti-social behaviour11

  • 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.