Crime in Blackpool district: statistics, rates and trends

26,857 crimes were recorded in Blackpool district in the 12 months to July 2026, 186.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,093 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Blackpool district has the 5th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Blackpool district was highest in the year to July 2018 (35,227 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (26,857). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Blackpool district 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-33%) and shoplifting (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Blackpool district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blackpool district recorded 11,093 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (76.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 41.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Blackpool district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blackpool district recorded 5,919 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Blackpool district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blackpool district recorded 1,815 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Blackpool district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blackpool district recorded 1,582 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Blackpool district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blackpool district recorded 1,566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Blackpool district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blackpool district recorded 1,151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Blackpool district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blackpool district recorded 838 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Blackpool district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blackpool district recorded 721 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Blackpool district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blackpool district recorded 701 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Blackpool district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blackpool district recorded 585 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Blackpool district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blackpool district recorded 342 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Blackpool district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blackpool district recorded 233 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Blackpool district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blackpool district recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Blackpool district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blackpool district recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

22 areas within Blackpool district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Talbot had the highest rate (646.5 per 1,000) and Stanley the lowest (51.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Blackpool district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blackpool district 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.

Blackpool district has an estimated population of 144,191. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blackpool district sits in decile 2.8, more deprived than average. 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 Blackpool district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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