Crime in Blackburn Central: statistics, rates and trends
3,329 crimes were recorded in Blackburn Central in the 12 months to August 2026, 259.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Blackburn Central at a glance
- Crime trends in Blackburn Central
- Types of crime in Blackburn Central
- Blackburn Central compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Blackburn Central
- What happened after crimes were reported in Blackburn Central
- Demographics of Blackburn Central
- Questions about crime in Blackburn Central
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (1,003), anti-social behaviour (782) and shoplifting (419) made up 66% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 111th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest tenth.
| Measure | Blackburn Central | Blackburn with Darwen | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 3,329 | 17,854 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 259.6 | 109.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 12,825 | 162,540 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Blackburn Central of any year here (3,329 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 16%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 3,329 | 259.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 3,695 | 288.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 3,393 | 264.6 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 3,546 | 276.5 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 3,793 | 295.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 4,014 | 313.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 3,636 | 283.5 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 3,896 | 303.8 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 3,960 | 308.8 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 298 |
| July 2026 | 326 |
| June 2026 | 248 |
| May 2026 | 280 |
| April 2026 | 282 |
| March 2026 | 257 |
| February 2026 | 226 |
| January 2026 | 222 |
| December 2025 | 258 |
| November 2025 | 275 |
| October 2025 | 349 |
| September 2025 | 308 |
Compared with England and Wales, Blackburn Central recorded notably more anti-social behaviour (4.0 times the national rate), shoplifting (3.9 times the national rate) and drugs (3.5 times the national rate). On the year before, public order rose from 180 to 274 and possession of weapons rose from 28 to 40, while robbery fell from 58 to 39 and anti-social behaviour fell from 1,085 to 782.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,003 | 78.2 | 34.2 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 782 | 61.0 | 15.4 | -28% |
| Shoplifting | 419 | 32.7 | 8.5 | -28% |
| Public order | 274 | 21.4 | 6.7 | +52% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 210 | 16.4 | 6.7 | +3% |
| Drugs | 147 | 11.5 | 3.3 | +29% |
| Other theft | 142 | 11.1 | 6.4 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 105 | 8.2 | 5.0 | -7% |
| Other crime | 80 | 6.2 | 2.1 | +25% |
| Burglary | 67 | 5.2 | 3.6 | -1% |
| Possession of weapons | 40 | 3.1 | 1.0 | +43% |
| Robbery | 39 | 3.0 | 1.4 | -33% |
| Theft from the person | 14 | 1.1 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Blackburn Central has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Blackburn Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audley & Queen's Park | 1,632 | 143.8 | -45% |
| Wensley Fold | 947 | 96.8 | -63% |
| Shear Brow & Corporation Park | 1,224 | 131.5 | -49% |
| Blackburn South East | 1,157 | 145.2 | -44% |
| Bastwell & Daisyfield | 584 | 61.2 | -76% |
| Ewood | 1,172 | 127.0 | -51% |
| Mill Hill & Moorgate | 1,157 | 144.7 | -44% |
| Little Harwood & Whitebirk | 1,013 | 100.4 | -61% |
The 10 locations below account for 36% of the crime recorded in Blackburn Central over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Shopping Area” (271).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 271 |
| On or near High Street | 188 |
| On or near Supermarket | 160 |
| On or near Heaton Street | 122 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 114 |
| On or near Parking Area | 104 |
| On or near Barton Street | 64 |
| On or near Byrom Street | 61 |
| On or near Clayton Street | 56 |
| On or near Islington | 56 |
Of the 2,547 crimes in Blackburn Central with a recorded outcome, 31% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 5.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 782 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 864 | 33.9% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 784 | 30.8% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 298 | 11.7% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 154 | 6.0% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 145 | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 129 | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 105 | 4.1% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 28 | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.6% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 13 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 11 | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% | 0.3% |
Blackburn Central has an estimated population of 12,825 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (49%, against 17%), more households without a car (49%, against 23%) and more residents with no qualifications (35%, against 18%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Blackburn Central average decile 1.2 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Blackburn Central | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 42.1% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 5.8% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 11.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 12.0% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 19.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 34.7% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 48.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 30.0% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 48.6% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 21.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.2 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 81.3% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Blackburn Central a safe place to live?
Blackburn Central recorded 259.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 111th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.
What is the most common crime in Blackburn Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,003 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (782).
Is crime in Blackburn Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Blackburn Central was down 10% on the year before: 3,329 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 3,695 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Blackburn Central?
About 12,825 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 10% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Blackburn Central?
Blackburn Central is policed by Lancashire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.