Crime Rate in West Lancashire: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Lancashire

The total recorded crimes in West Lancashire, West Lancashire in January 2025 are around 651 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Lancashire crime rate of 5.54 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:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (255) incidents (38.59% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (184) incidents (-18.58% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (38) incidents (0.00% decrease)
West Lancashire Crime Hotspots

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

  • Mill View Court with total crimes: 18
  • Holland'S Lane with total crimes: 12
  • Church Road with total crimes: 12

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 (78 crimes), and the safest, Rufford (5 crimes), is 73 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across West Lancashire.

Similarly, the area of Bickerstaffe & Newburgh (84 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Aughton (17 crimes), with a difference of 67 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within West Lancashire.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Bickerstaffe78
Birch Green55
Ashurst51
Skelmersdale South48
Knowsley46

Safest Wards:

Aughton and Downholland9
Halsall9
Parbold8
Newburgh5
Rufford5

Most Dangerous Areas:

Bickerstaffe & Newburgh84
Skelmersdale Central84
Ormskirk Town & East61
Skelmersdale South East60
Skelmersdale West48

Safest Areas:

Ormskirk North & West31
Rufford & Banks26
Scarisbrick, Halsall & Haskayne24
Parbold, Appley Bridge & Wrightington18
Aughton17

West Lancashire Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the West Lancashire has recorded 651 crimes with crime rate of 5.54 ranking 230th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 9 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 202520242023
CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)CrimesRank (Lancashire)
Ribble Valley292 123,928 123,356 12
Fylde527 97,627 96,872 10
Chorley746 1010,746 1010,199 9
Wyre796 710,924 89,988 8
South Ribble760 811,636 710,276 7
Rossendale534 67,759 66,653 6
Pendle780 511,071 59,360 5
Lancaster1,215 416,860 414,859 4
Hyndburn828 312,594 310,826 3
Preston1,729 225,090 222,940 2
Burnley1,307 120,223 118,377 1

West Lancashire Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 289 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 237 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (512 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (468 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 156 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 19.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202526
December 202415
November 202419
October 202412
September 202421
August 202413
July 202422
June 202428

A total of 27 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 3.38 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20242
September 20244
August 20244
July 20246
June 20246

A total of 255 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 31.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202512
December 202419
November 202437
October 202437
September 202415
August 202439
July 202426
June 202470

A total of 306 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 38.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202531
December 202430
November 202433
October 202448
September 202441
August 202443
July 202438
June 202442

A total of 37 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 4.62 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
December 20241
November 20243
October 20241
September 202418
August 20245
July 20242
June 20246

A total of 154 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 19.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202520
December 202413
November 202422
October 202427
September 202415
August 202417
July 202414
June 202426

A total of 15 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20252
November 20243
October 20242
August 20244
July 20244

A total of 207 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 25.88 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202521
December 202427
November 202421
October 202430
September 202431
August 202426
July 202425
June 202426

A total of 2145 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 268.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 468 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025255
December 2024184
November 2024206
October 2024261
September 2024260
August 2024222
July 2024289
June 2024468

A total of 301 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 37.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202521
December 202426
November 202431
October 202426
September 202452
August 202437
July 202430
June 202478

A total of 492 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 61.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 88 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202538
December 202438
November 202460
October 202463
September 202473
August 202463
July 202469
June 202488

A total of 64 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 8.00 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202513
December 20245
November 20247
October 20246
September 20245
August 202413
July 20245
June 202410

A total of 335 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 41.88 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202525
December 202440
November 202452
October 202438
September 202438
August 202444
July 202446
June 202452

A total of 2173 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 271.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 512 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025184
December 2024226
November 2024251
October 2024254
September 2024256
August 2024253
July 2024237
June 2024512

High Crime Locations West Lancashire in January 2025

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

1. Mill View Court (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour18
2. Holland'S Lane (Map)
Total12
Other crime6
Criminal damage and arson6
3. Church Road (Map)
Total12
Burglary6
Anti-social behaviour6
4. Newby Drive (Map)
Total10
Anti-social behaviour10
5. Firbeck (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences8
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting8

  • 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.