Crime in Rossendale: statistics, rates and trends

6,452 crimes were recorded in Rossendale in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,511 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Rossendale has the 140th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rossendale was highest in the year to July 2021 (8,387 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (6,441). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 Rossendale 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 shoplifting (+42%) and public order (+15%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-38%) and robbery (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rossendale

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rossendale recorded 2,511 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 38.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rossendale

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rossendale recorded 1,423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 22.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rossendale

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rossendale recorded 551 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rossendale

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rossendale recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rossendale

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rossendale recorded 366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rossendale

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rossendale recorded 345 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rossendale

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rossendale recorded 260 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rossendale

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rossendale recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rossendale

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rossendale recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rossendale

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rossendale recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rossendale

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rossendale recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rossendale

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rossendale recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rossendale

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rossendale recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 89% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rossendale

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rossendale recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Rossendale, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Longholme had the highest rate (122.3 per 1,000) and Edenfield the lowest (32.9). 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 Rossendale over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rossendale 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.

Rossendale has an estimated population of 73,045. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rossendale 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 Rossendale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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