Crime in Blackburn Central: statistics, rates and trends
3,381 crimes were recorded in Blackburn Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 263.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in Blackburn Central
- Questions about crime in Blackburn Central
- About this data
3,381 crimes were recorded in Blackburn Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 263.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 998 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Blackburn Central has the 107th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Blackburn Central | Blackburn with Darwen | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,381 | 18,049 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 263.6 | 111.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 12,825 | 162,540 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Blackburn Central was highest in the year to July 2021 (4,004 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,381). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 3,381 | 263.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,616 | 281.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,406 | 265.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,574 | 278.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,813 | 297.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,004 | 312.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,589 | 279.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,999 | 311.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,854 | 300.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 350 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Blackburn Central 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, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in public order (+35%) and drugs (+32%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-23%) and shoplifting (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 998 | 77.8 | 2.27 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 820 | 63.9 | 4.17 | -23% |
| Shoplifting | 450 | 35.1 | 4.24 | -19% |
| Public order | 247 | 19.3 | 2.90 | +35% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 210 | 16.4 | 2.41 | +5% |
| Drugs | 146 | 11.4 | 3.48 | +32% |
| Other theft | 144 | 11.2 | 1.76 | -5% |
| Vehicle crime | 102 | 8.0 | 1.61 | -9% |
| Other crime | 78 | 6.1 | 2.88 | +20% |
| Burglary | 73 | 5.7 | 1.61 | +12% |
| Robbery | 46 | 3.6 | 2.66 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 38 | 3.0 | 3.05 | +31% |
| Theft from the person | 17 | 1.3 | 0.78 | +6% |
| Bicycle theft | 12 | 0.9 | 1.14 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Blackburn Central
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blackburn Central recorded 998 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (77.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 29.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Blackburn Central
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blackburn Central recorded 820 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (63.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 24.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Blackburn Central
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blackburn Central recorded 450 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 13.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Blackburn Central
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blackburn Central recorded 247 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Blackburn Central
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blackburn Central recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Blackburn Central
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blackburn Central recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Blackburn Central
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blackburn Central recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Blackburn Central
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blackburn Central recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Blackburn Central
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blackburn Central recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Blackburn Central
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blackburn Central recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Blackburn Central
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blackburn Central recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Blackburn Central
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blackburn Central recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Blackburn Central
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blackburn Central recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Blackburn Central
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blackburn Central recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Blackburn Central, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Blackburn Central.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Blackburn Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audley & Queen's Park | 1,613 | 142.1 | -46% |
| Wensley Fold | 972 | 99.4 | -62% |
| Shear Brow & Corporation Park | 1,233 | 132.5 | -50% |
| Blackburn South East | 1,177 | 147.7 | -44% |
| Bastwell & Daisyfield | 577 | 60.5 | -77% |
| Ewood | 1,214 | 131.5 | -50% |
| Mill Hill & Moorgate | 1,181 | 147.7 | -44% |
| Little Harwood & Whitebirk | 1,035 | 102.5 | -61% |
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 Blackburn Central over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 287 |
| On or near High Street | 187 |
| On or near Supermarket | 179 |
| On or near Heaton Street | 122 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 110 |
| On or near Parking Area | 99 |
| On or near Barton Street | 69 |
| On or near Baldwin Street | 66 |
| On or near Clayton Street | 60 |
| On or near Byrom Street | 58 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blackburn Central 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 852 | 25.2% |
| Not recorded | 820 | 24.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 808 | 23.9% |
| Under investigation | 305 | 9.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 149 | 4.4% |
| Local resolution | 148 | 4.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 121 | 3.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 111 | 3.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 28 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 16 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 8 | 0.2% |
Blackburn Central has an estimated population of 12,825. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blackburn Central sits in decile 1.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Blackburn Central |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 30.0% |
| Social rented homes | 48.6% |
| Private rented homes | 21.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 81.3% |
Is Blackburn Central a safe place to live?
Blackburn Central recorded 263.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Blackburn Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 998 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (820).
Is crime in Blackburn Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Blackburn Central was down 6% on the year before: 3,381 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,616 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Blackburn Central?
Blackburn Central is policed by Lancashire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Blackburn Central. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.