Crime Rate in City Centre: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in City Centre

The total recorded crimes in City Centre, Preston, UK in July 2025 are around 489 as per the recent police data. This equates to a City Centre crime rate of 10.60 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 City Centre, encompassing approximately 46,145 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (171) incidents (-3.39% decrease)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (139) incidents (20.87% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (33) incidents (-40.00% decrease)
City Centre Crime Hotspots

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

  • Nightclub with total crimes: 15
  • Jacson Street with total crimes: 13
  • Stanley Street with total crimes: 12

How safe is City Centre?

To understand the safety of City Centre, we need to analyze City Centre crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Preston:

    • In 2024, City Centre reported a higher crime volume than the Preston average, with 6,637 crimes compared to 1,568. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, City Centre witnessed more crimes than 15 out of 15 other areas in the Preston.

    • In 2023, City Centre experienced a greater number of crimes than the Preston average, with 5,945 crimes compared to 1,434. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, City Centre witnessed more crimes than 15 out of 15 other areas in the Preston.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Preston, City Centre has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

City Centre Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the City Centre has recorded 489 crimes with crime rate of 10.60 ranking 1th out of 15 in the Preston, UK

In 2024, the total City Centre crimes were 6,637. The crime rate of City Centre in 2024 was 143.83 (year) or 11.99 (month) ranking it 1 dangerous area in the Preston.

In 2023, the total crimes in City Centre were around 5,945 crimes with yearly crime rate of 128.83 (year) or 10.74 (month) ranking 1 most dangerous area in the Preston.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (City Centre)CrimesRank (City Centre)CrimesRank (City Centre)
St Matthew's221 22,431 22,366 2
Plungington148 52,341 32,251 3
Brookfield177 31,481 61,200 7
Deepdale161 41,720 41,763 4
Ashton136 71,620 51,683 5
Ribbleton137 61,380 81,385 6
Ingol & Cottam112 81,390 71,149 9
Fishwick & Frenchwood84 121,232 91,162 8
Preston Rural East106 9725 13538 14
Lea & Larches95 11876 10833 10
Sharoe Green99 10847 11723 11
Garrison48 14829 12668 12
Cadley58 13711 14629 13
Greyfriars36 16493 15382 15
Preston Rural North39 15377 16263 16

City Centre Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 171 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 139 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (177 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (115 cases).

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (188 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (142 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (168 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (90 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (169 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (137 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 123 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 118 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (149 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (116 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 157 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 142 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (163 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (123 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1450 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 161.11 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 188 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025171
June 2025177
May 2025188
April 2025168
March 2025169
February 2025123
January 2025149
December 2024142
November 2024163

A total of 246 Public order incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 27.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202530
June 202539
May 202532
April 202531
March 202530
February 202512
January 202514
December 202424
November 202434

A total of 1137 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 126.33 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 157 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025139
June 2025115
May 2025142
April 202590
March 2025137
February 2025118
January 2025116
December 2024157
November 2024123

A total of 191 Other theft incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 21.22 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202522
June 202525
May 202523
April 202522
March 202516
February 202517
January 202518
December 202422
November 202426

A total of 518 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 57.56 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202555
May 202570
April 202564
March 202566
February 202548
January 202563
December 202464
November 202455

A total of 188 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 20.89 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202521
June 202529
May 202533
April 202525
March 202514
February 202512
January 202519
December 202414
November 202421

A total of 68 Robbery incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 7.56 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202513
June 202510
May 20259
April 202511
March 20258
February 20257
January 20254
December 20244
November 20242

A total of 97 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 10.78 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 202515
May 202515
April 202518
March 20256
February 20258
January 20254
December 202412
November 20245

A total of 129 Drugs incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 14.33 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202510
May 202510
April 202518
March 202512
February 202514
January 20259
December 202424
November 202415

A total of 74 Other crime incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 8.22 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20255
May 20256
April 20258
March 202511
February 20256
January 202511
December 20246
November 202415

A total of 53 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 5.89 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20257
May 20257
April 20256
March 20256
February 20255
January 20256
December 20246
November 20243

A total of 96 Burglary incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 10.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 202511
May 202521
April 20258
March 202515
February 20258
January 202510
December 202412
November 20245

A total of 44 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 4.89 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20256
May 20257
April 20253
March 20254
February 20253
January 20256
December 20243
November 20244

A total of 37 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 9 month period, averaging 4.62 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20255
May 20256
April 20253
March 20257
January 20255
December 20244
November 20245

High Crime Locations City Centre in July 2025

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

1. Nightclub (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour3
Other theft1
Public order1
Robbery1
2. Jacson Street (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour4
Drugs2
Public order1
3. Stanley Street (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Robbery1
Vehicle crime1
4. Market Street (Map)
Total12
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences3
Drugs2
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
5. Nightclub (Map)
Total11
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences3
Possession of weapons1
6. Nightclub (Map)
Total11
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting4
Other theft2
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Union Street (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Bicycle theft1
Other crime1
8. Winckley Street (Map)
Total10
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting3
Public order2
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Cheapside (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour4
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Shopping Area (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour3
Shoplifting2
Bicycle theft1
Possession of weapons1
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.