Crime Rate in West Lancashire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Lancashire

The total recorded crimes in West Lancashire, UK in January 2026 are around 550 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Lancashire crime rate of 4.68 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (218) incidents (-16.48% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (106) incidents (-30.72% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (62) incidents (21.57% increase)
West Lancashire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 10
  • Beechtrees with total crimes: 9
  • Whitburn with total crimes: 9

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, Skelmersdale South (56 crimes), and the safest, Aughton Park (3 crimes), is 53 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across West Lancashire.

Similarly, the area of Skelmersdale South East (74 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Aughton (8 crimes), with a difference of 66 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within West Lancashire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Skelmersdale South56
Birch Green53
Bickerstaffe48
Digmoor43
Burscough West40

Safest Wards:

Wrightington6
Parbold5
Halsall5
Rufford5
Aughton Park3

Most Dangerous Areas:

Skelmersdale South East74
Skelmersdale Central73
Ormskirk Town & East63
Burscough62
Bickerstaffe & Newburgh59

Safest Areas:

Hesketh Bank & Tarleton20
Ormskirk North & West16
Upholland14
Parbold, Appley Bridge & Wrightington10
Aughton8

West Lancashire Crime Statstics

In January 2026 the West Lancashire has recorded 550 crimes with crime rate of 4.68 ranking 261th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 10 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

CityJanuary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley272 123,928 123,356 12
Fylde459 107,627 96,872 10
Chorley750 910,746 1010,199 9
Wyre684 810,924 89,988 8
South Ribble770 711,636 710,276 7
Rossendale554 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle773 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster992 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn865 312,594 310,826 3
Preston1,635 225,090 222,940 2
Burnley1,321 120,223 118,377 1

West Lancashire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (218 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (106 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 261 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 153 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (278 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (214 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (255 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (182 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (266 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (237 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (288 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (235 incidents).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2769 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 230.75 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 311 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026106
December 2025153
November 2025214
October 2025182
September 2025237
August 2025288
July 2025311
June 2025249
May 2025288
April 2025286
March 2025224
February 2025231

A total of 3234 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 269.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 344 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026218
December 2025261
November 2025278
October 2025255
September 2025266
August 2025235
July 2025344
June 2025269
May 2025326
April 2025283
March 2025278
February 2025221

A total of 277 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 23.08 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20268
December 202518
November 202526
October 202513
September 202521
August 202529
July 202525
June 202526
May 202527
April 202540
March 202534
February 202510

A total of 353 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 29.42 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202621
December 202516
November 202523
October 202517
September 202519
August 202517
July 202540
June 202520
May 202531
April 202572
March 202541
February 202536

A total of 116 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202610
December 20259
November 202510
October 202519
September 20256
August 202514
July 202521
June 20255
May 20257
April 20256
March 20256
February 20253

A total of 238 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.83 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202618
December 202530
November 202524
October 202515
September 202515
August 202526
July 202533
June 202514
May 202513
April 202518
March 202516
February 202516

A total of 387 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.25 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202626
December 202513
November 202526
October 202544
September 202534
August 202531
July 202539
June 202551
May 202544
April 202528
March 202528
February 202523

A total of 201 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 16.75 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202616
December 202514
November 202521
October 202513
September 202514
August 202523
July 202520
June 20259
May 202522
April 202514
March 202519
February 202516

A total of 465 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.75 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202635
December 202534
November 202538
October 202534
September 202545
August 202523
July 202540
June 202548
May 202541
April 202538
March 202541
February 202548

A total of 373 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202621
December 202525
November 202524
October 202537
September 202513
August 202526
July 202562
June 202524
May 202541
April 202537
March 202539
February 202524

A total of 59 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.36 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20265
December 20256
November 20254
October 202510
September 20256
August 20254
July 20255
June 20259
May 20256
April 20251
March 20253

A total of 17 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.55 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20263
December 20251
November 20251
October 20252
September 20252
August 20252
July 20252
June 20251
May 20251
April 20251
February 20251

A total of 25 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.08 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20261
December 20252
November 20252
October 20255
September 20251
August 20251
July 20252
June 20254
May 20252
April 20253
March 20251
February 20251

A total of 709 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 59.08 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202662
December 202551
November 202554
October 202559
September 202553
August 202559
July 202558
June 202568
May 202557
April 202581
March 202555
February 202552

High Crime Locations West Lancashire in January 2026

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences4
Drugs3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
2. Beechtrees (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson3
Public order2
Vehicle crime1
3. Whitburn (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour3
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order1
Other crime1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting8
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting4
Anti-social behaviour3

  • 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.