Crime in Lancashire: statistics, rates and trends

121,026 crimes were recorded in Lancashire in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 45,454 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Lancashire has the 1st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Lancashire was highest in the year to July 2021 (151,823 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (121,026). Over the whole period it fell 16%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lancashire over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in theft from the person (+17%) and public order (+16%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-31%).

Violence and sexual offences in Lancashire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lancashire recorded 45,454 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 37.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Lancashire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lancashire recorded 27,257 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 22.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Lancashire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lancashire recorded 9,365 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Lancashire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lancashire recorded 7,446 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Lancashire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lancashire recorded 6,677 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Lancashire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lancashire recorded 6,461 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Lancashire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lancashire recorded 4,667 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Lancashire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lancashire recorded 4,375 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Lancashire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lancashire recorded 3,084 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Lancashire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lancashire recorded 2,991 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Lancashire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lancashire recorded 1,243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Lancashire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lancashire recorded 841 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Lancashire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lancashire recorded 721 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Lancashire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lancashire recorded 444 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the counties closest to Lancashire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lancashire.

12 areas within Lancashire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Burnley had the highest rate (142.2 per 1,000) and Ribble Valley the lowest (50.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lancashire over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Lancashire has an estimated population of 1,294,914. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lancashire sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Lancashire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.