Crime in Lancaster district: statistics, rates and trends

14,238 crimes were recorded in Lancaster district in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,093 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Lancaster district has the 107th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Lancaster district was highest in the year to July 2021 (17,757 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (14,238). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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 Lancaster 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 anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, burglary.

The largest increases were in robbery (+16%) and public order (+13%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-31%) and burglary (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Lancaster district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lancaster district recorded 5,093 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 5% on the year before. It made up 35.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Lancaster district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lancaster district recorded 3,161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 22.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Lancaster district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lancaster district recorded 1,277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Lancaster district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lancaster district recorded 830 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Lancaster district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lancaster district recorded 813 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Lancaster district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lancaster district recorded 749 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Lancaster district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lancaster district recorded 686 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Lancaster district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lancaster district recorded 514 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Lancaster district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lancaster district recorded 362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Lancaster district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lancaster district recorded 322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Lancaster district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lancaster district recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Lancaster district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lancaster district recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Lancaster district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lancaster district recorded 86 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 16% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Lancaster district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lancaster district recorded 50 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

39 areas within Lancaster district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (411.5 per 1,000) and Upper Lune Valley the lowest (24.1). 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 Lancaster district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lancaster 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.

Lancaster district has an estimated population of 145,006. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lancaster district sits in decile 5.5, 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 Lancaster district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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