Crime in Preston: statistics, rates and trends

20,865 crimes were recorded in Preston in the 12 months to July 2026, 128.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 7,320 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Preston has the 36th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Preston was highest in the year to July 2021 (26,928 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (20,865). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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 Preston 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 increases were in drugs (+21%) and theft from the person (+13%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-32%) and bicycle theft (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Preston

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Preston recorded 7,320 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 35.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Preston

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Preston recorded 4,762 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 32% on the year before. It made up 22.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Preston

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Preston recorded 1,553 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Preston

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Preston recorded 1,393 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Preston

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Preston recorded 1,215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Preston

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Preston recorded 1,191 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Preston

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Preston recorded 837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Preston

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Preston recorded 676 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Preston

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Preston recorded 608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Preston

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Preston recorded 504 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Preston

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Preston recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Preston

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Preston recorded 225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Preston

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Preston recorded 216 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 down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Preston

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Preston recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

22 areas within Preston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. City Centre had the highest rate (403.0 per 1,000) and Preston Rural North the lowest (47.2). 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 Preston over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Preston 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.

Preston has an estimated population of 162,864. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Preston sits in decile 4.4, 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 Preston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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