Crime in West Lancashire: statistics, rates and trends

7,597 crimes were recorded in West Lancashire in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower 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 3,007 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, West Lancashire has the 251st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in West Lancashire was highest in the year to July 2021 (9,429 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (7,597). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 West Lancashire 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+74%) and possession of weapons (+33%).

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-37%) and shoplifting (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in West Lancashire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Lancashire recorded 3,007 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 39.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in West Lancashire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Lancashire recorded 1,660 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 21.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in West Lancashire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Lancashire recorded 630 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in West Lancashire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Lancashire recorded 438 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in West Lancashire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Lancashire recorded 375 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in West Lancashire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Lancashire recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in West Lancashire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Lancashire recorded 276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in West Lancashire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Lancashire recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in West Lancashire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Lancashire recorded 215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in West Lancashire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Lancashire recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in West Lancashire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Lancashire recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in West Lancashire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Lancashire recorded 75 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 74% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in West Lancashire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Lancashire recorded 28 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 up 4% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in West Lancashire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Lancashire recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

24 areas within West Lancashire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Tanhouse & Skelmersdale Town Centre had the highest rate (116.4 per 1,000) and Aughton & Holborn the lowest (26.5). 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 West Lancashire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Lancashire 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.

West Lancashire has an estimated population of 121,995. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Lancashire sits in decile 6.3, 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 West Lancashire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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