Crime Rate in City Centre: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in City Centre

The total recorded crimes in City Centre, Preston, UK in May 2025 are around 569 as per the recent police data. This equates to a City Centre crime rate of 12.33 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 May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (188) incidents (11.90% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (142) incidents (57.78% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (70) incidents (9.38% increase)
City Centre Crime Hotspots

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

  • Nightclub with total crimes: 20
  • Cheapside with total crimes: 16
  • Union Street with total crimes: 16

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 May 2025 the City Centre has recorded 569 crimes with crime rate of 12.33 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (City Centre)CrimesRank (City Centre)CrimesRank (City Centre)
St Matthew's224 22,431 22,366 2
Plungington173 32,341 32,251 3
Deepdale144 41,720 41,763 4
Ashton125 51,620 51,683 5
Ribbleton114 71,380 81,385 6
Brookfield120 61,481 61,200 7
Ingol & Cottam103 91,390 71,149 9
Fishwick & Frenchwood107 81,232 91,162 8
Lea & Larches85 11876 10833 10
Sharoe Green88 10847 11723 11
Garrison53 13829 12668 12
Preston Rural East67 12725 13538 14
Cadley50 15711 14629 13
Preston Rural North51 14377 16263 16
Greyfriars44 16493 15382 15

City Centre Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (173 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (119 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (123 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (107 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (148 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (144 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 154 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 138 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (352 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (276 cases).

In May 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (162 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (138 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 79 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.08 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20253
March 20254
February 20253
January 20256
December 20243
November 20244
October 202411
September 202410
August 202410
July 20246
June 20246
May 20246

A total of 2214 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 170.31 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 352 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025188
April 2025168
March 2025169
February 2025123
January 2025149
December 2024142
November 2024163
October 2024173
September 2024123
August 2024148
July 2024154
June 2024352
May 2024162

A total of 1805 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 138.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 276 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025142
April 202590
March 2025137
February 2025118
January 2025116
December 2024157
November 2024123
October 2024119
September 2024107
August 2024144
July 2024138
June 2024276
May 2024138

A total of 310 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 23.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202522
March 202516
February 202517
January 202518
December 202422
November 202426
October 202419
September 202420
August 202426
July 202425
June 202450
May 202426

A total of 100 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.69 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20256
March 20256
February 20255
January 20256
December 20246
November 20243
October 20244
September 20247
August 20247
July 20249
June 202422
May 202412

A total of 180 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 20258
March 202515
February 20258
January 202510
December 202412
November 20245
October 20249
September 202412
August 202425
July 202412
June 202426
May 202417

A total of 346 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 26.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202533
April 202525
March 202514
February 202512
January 202519
December 202414
November 202421
October 202426
September 202426
August 202427
July 202430
June 202472
May 202427

A total of 920 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 70.77 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 154 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202570
April 202564
March 202566
February 202548
January 202563
December 202464
November 202455
October 202484
September 202453
August 202471
July 202447
June 2024154
May 202481

A total of 105 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 8.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 202511
March 20258
February 20257
January 20254
December 20244
November 20242
October 20246
September 202412
August 202411
July 20248
June 202414
May 20249

A total of 394 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 30.31 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202532
April 202531
March 202530
February 202512
January 202514
December 202424
November 202434
October 202422
September 202426
August 202427
July 202439
June 202464
May 202439

A total of 161 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202518
March 20256
February 20258
January 20254
December 202412
November 20245
October 202410
September 202414
August 202411
July 202412
June 202438
May 20248

A total of 60 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20253
March 20257
January 20255
December 20244
November 20245
October 20246
September 20243
August 20245
July 20247
June 20244
May 20245

A total of 120 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 9.23 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20258
March 202511
February 20256
January 202511
December 20246
November 202415
October 202412
September 202413
August 20242
July 20248
June 202414
May 20248

A total of 204 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 15.69 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202518
March 202512
February 202514
January 20259
December 202424
November 202415
October 202424
September 202412
August 202412
July 202416
June 202422
May 202416

High Crime Locations City Centre in May 2025

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

1. Nightclub (Map)
Total20
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour6
Burglary2
Other theft1
Public order1
Theft from the person1
2. Cheapside (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting12
Other crime2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Union Street (Map)
Total16
Anti-social behaviour9
Violence and sexual offences6
Other crime1
4. Market Street (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order3
Bicycle theft2
Other theft2
Theft from the person1
5. Nightclub (Map)
Total14
Public order6
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson2
Violence and sexual offences2
Other theft1
Robbery1
6. Lune Street (Map)
Total14
Anti-social behaviour4
Criminal damage and arson3
Public order2
Robbery2
Violence and sexual offences2
Burglary1
7. Ribblesdale Place (Map)
Total14
Anti-social behaviour11
Drugs2
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Nightclub (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting5
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson2
Burglary1
Other crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Petrol Station (Map)
Total13
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences3
Other theft2
Possession of weapons2
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
10. East Cliff (Map)
Total12
Anti-social behaviour7
Burglary3
Violence and sexual offences2

  • 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.