Crime in Burnley district: statistics, rates and trends

14,110 crimes were recorded in Burnley district in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,901 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Burnley district has the 18th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Burnley district was highest in the year to July 2021 (17,064 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (13,860). 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 Burnley 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, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in public order (+45%) and shoplifting (+44%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-26%) and possession of weapons (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Burnley district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Burnley district recorded 4,901 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 34.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Burnley district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Burnley district recorded 2,899 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 20.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Burnley district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Burnley district recorded 1,299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Burnley district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Burnley district recorded 1,076 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Burnley district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Burnley district recorded 820 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Burnley district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Burnley district recorded 748 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Burnley district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Burnley district recorded 682 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Burnley district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Burnley district recorded 583 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Burnley district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Burnley district recorded 374 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Burnley district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Burnley district recorded 336 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Burnley district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Burnley district recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Burnley district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Burnley district recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Burnley district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Burnley district recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Burnley district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Burnley district recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 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 districts closest to Burnley district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Burnley district.

19 areas within Burnley district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Trinity had the highest rate (298.6 per 1,000) and Cliviger with Worsthorne the lowest (47.4). 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 Burnley district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Burnley 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.

Burnley district has an estimated population of 99,233. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Burnley district sits in decile 3.0, 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 Burnley district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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