Crime Rate in West Lancashire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Lancashire

The total recorded crimes in West Lancashire, UK in July 2025 are around 1,002 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Lancashire crime rate of 8.53 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 West Lancashire, encompassing approximately 117,429 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (344) incidents (27.88% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (311) incidents (24.90% increase)
  • Public order: (62) incidents (158.33% increase)
West Lancashire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Elmridge with total crimes: 19
  • Ormskirk Road with total crimes: 18
  • Carfield with total crimes: 17

How safe is West Lancashire?

To understand the safety of West Lancashire, we need to analyze West Lancashire 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:

    • West Lancashire has recorded 9,771 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 83.21 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 196 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 8,857 crimes with a crime rate of 75.42, ranking it 217 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Lancashire:

    • In 2024, West Lancashire demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Lancashire average, with 9771 crimes compared to 12352.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, West Lancashire witnessed more crimes than 8 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, West Lancashire had fewer crimes than the Lancashire average, with 8,857 crimes compared to 11,047. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, West Lancashire witnessed more crimes than 8 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, West Lancashire is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Lancashire, West Lancashire has a lower crime rate in 2024.

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

West Lancashire Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Bickerstaffe (138 crimes), and the safest, Newburgh (5 crimes), is 133 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across West Lancashire.

Similarly, the area of Skelmersdale Central (151 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Parbold, Appley Bridge & Wrightington (20 crimes), with a difference of 131 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within West Lancashire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Bickerstaffe138
Birch Green105
Skelmersdale South74
Tanhouse70
Ashurst61

Safest Wards:

Hesketh-with-Becconsall13
Aughton Park11
Rufford11
Parbold9
Newburgh5

Most Dangerous Areas:

Skelmersdale Central151
Bickerstaffe & Newburgh146
Skelmersdale South East91
Skelmersdale East83
Ormskirk Town & East80

Safest Areas:

Rufford & Banks40
Scarisbrick, Halsall & Haskayne40
Hesketh Bank & Tarleton31
Aughton22
Parbold, Appley Bridge & Wrightington20

West Lancashire Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the West Lancashire has recorded 1,002 crimes with crime rate of 8.53 ranking 162th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 11 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2024, the total West Lancashire crimes were 9,771. The crime rate of West Lancashire in 2024 was 83.21 (year) or 6.93 (month) ranking it 196 danzarous in the UK. West Lancashire ranked 9 in terms of total crimes and 11 in terms of crime rate in Lancashire.

In 2023, the total crimes in West Lancashire were around 8,857 crimes with yearly crime rate of 75.42 (year) or 6.29 (month) ranking 217 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Lancashire, West Lancashire ranked 9 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 11 as per crime rate of West Lancashire

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley329 123,928 123,356 12
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
Preston2,146 225,090 222,940 2
Burnley1,677 120,223 118,377 1

West Lancashire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 344 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 311 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (269 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (249 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (326 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (288 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (286 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (283 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (278 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (224 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 231 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 221 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (255 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (184 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 226 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 184 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (251 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (206 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (261 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (254 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (260 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (256 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (253 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (222 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 318 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.50 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202525
June 202526
May 202527
April 202540
March 202534
February 202510
January 202521
December 202427
November 202421
October 202430
September 202431
August 202426

A total of 53 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.82 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20259
May 20256
April 20251
March 20253
January 20251
December 20241
November 20243
October 20241
September 202418
August 20245

A total of 3145 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 262.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 344 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025344
June 2025269
May 2025326
April 2025283
March 2025278
February 2025221
January 2025184
December 2024226
November 2024251
October 2024254
September 2024256
August 2024253

A total of 706 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 58.83 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202558
June 202568
May 202557
April 202581
March 202555
February 202552
January 202538
December 202438
November 202460
October 202463
September 202473
August 202463

A total of 214 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202520
June 20259
May 202522
April 202514
March 202519
February 202516
January 202520
December 202413
November 202422
October 202427
September 202415
August 202417

A total of 406 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.83 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202539
June 202551
May 202544
April 202528
March 202528
February 202523
January 202521
December 202426
November 202431
October 202426
September 202452
August 202437

A total of 2977 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 248.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 311 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025311
June 2025249
May 2025288
April 2025286
March 2025224
February 2025231
January 2025255
December 2024184
November 2024206
October 2024261
September 2024260
August 2024222

A total of 466 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.83 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202540
June 202520
May 202531
April 202572
March 202541
February 202536
January 202531
December 202430
November 202433
October 202448
September 202441
August 202443

A total of 97 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202521
June 20255
May 20257
April 20256
March 20256
February 20253
January 202513
December 20245
November 20247
October 20246
September 20245
August 202413

A total of 216 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202514
May 202513
April 202518
March 202516
February 202516
January 202526
December 202415
November 202419
October 202412
September 202421
August 202413

A total of 493 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 41.08 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202540
June 202548
May 202541
April 202538
March 202541
February 202548
January 202525
December 202440
November 202452
October 202438
September 202438
August 202444

A total of 28 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20254
May 20252
April 20253
March 20251
February 20251
January 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20242
September 20244
August 20244

A total of 386 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202562
June 202524
May 202541
April 202537
March 202539
February 202524
January 202512
December 202419
November 202437
October 202437
September 202415
August 202439

A total of 17 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.89 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20251
May 20251
April 20251
February 20251
January 20252
November 20243
October 20242
August 20244

High Crime Locations West Lancashire in July 2025

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

1. Elmridge (Map)
Total19
Violence and sexual offences12
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order2
Other crime1
2. Ormskirk Road (Map)
Total18
Public order6
Criminal damage and arson6
Anti-social behaviour6
3. Carfield (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences6
Possession of weapons3
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order2
Criminal damage and arson2
Vehicle crime1
4. Whiteleys Lane (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour6
5. Scarth Hill Lane (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences12
6. Dicket'S Lane (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences12

  • 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.