Crime in City Centre: statistics, rates and trends
5,213 crimes were recorded in City Centre in the 12 months to July 2026, 403.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in City Centre at a glance
- Crime trends in City Centre
- Types of crime in City Centre
- City Centre compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in City Centre
- What happened after crimes were reported in City Centre
- Population and deprivation in City Centre
- Questions about crime in City Centre
- About this data
5,213 crimes were recorded in City Centre in the 12 months to July 2026, 403.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,597 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, City Centre has the 34th highest crime rate.
| Measure | City Centre | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,213 | 20,865 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 403.0 | 128.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 12,936 | 162,864 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in City Centre was highest in the year to July 2018 (6,268 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (4,990). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 | 5,213 | 403.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,777 | 446.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,875 | 454.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,953 | 460.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,240 | 482.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,990 | 385.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,531 | 427.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 6,134 | 474.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 6,268 | 484.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 468 |
| June 2026 | 467 |
| May 2026 | 448 |
| April 2026 | 389 |
| March 2026 | 465 |
| February 2026 | 410 |
| January 2026 | 383 |
| December 2025 | 511 |
| November 2025 | 393 |
| October 2025 | 397 |
| September 2025 | 429 |
| August 2025 | 453 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in City Centre 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 drugs (+25%) and public order (+12%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-29%) and anti-social behaviour (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,597 | 123.5 | 3.61 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,373 | 106.1 | 6.92 | -28% |
| Shoplifting | 595 | 46.0 | 5.55 | -18% |
| Public order | 351 | 27.1 | 4.08 | +12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 260 | 20.1 | 2.96 | -2% |
| Other theft | 255 | 19.7 | 3.08 | +1% |
| Drugs | 217 | 16.8 | 5.13 | +25% |
| Vehicle crime | 117 | 9.0 | 1.84 | -11% |
| Burglary | 112 | 8.7 | 2.45 | -20% |
| Other crime | 89 | 6.9 | 3.26 | -11% |
| Robbery | 84 | 6.5 | 4.81 | -12% |
| Possession of weapons | 57 | 4.4 | 4.54 | -17% |
| Theft from the person | 54 | 4.2 | 2.47 | +10% |
| Bicycle theft | 52 | 4.0 | 4.88 | -29% |
Violence and sexual offences in City Centre
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. City Centre recorded 1,597 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (123.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 30.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in City Centre
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. City Centre recorded 1,373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (106.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 26.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in City Centre
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. City Centre recorded 595 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in City Centre
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. City Centre recorded 351 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in City Centre
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. City Centre recorded 260 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in City Centre
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. City Centre recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in City Centre
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. City Centre recorded 217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in City Centre
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. City Centre recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in City Centre
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. City Centre recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in City Centre
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. City Centre recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in City Centre
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. City Centre recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in City Centre
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. City Centre recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in City Centre
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. City Centre recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in City Centre
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. City Centre recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to City Centre, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to City Centre.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs City Centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plungington | 1,721 | 142.1 | -65% |
| Deepdale | 1,362 | 130.5 | -68% |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 1,174 | 118.6 | -71% |
| St Matthew's | 2,149 | 174.2 | -57% |
| Ashton | 1,394 | 136.3 | -66% |
| Cadley | 486 | 50.9 | -87% |
| Garrison | 630 | 64.0 | -84% |
| Brookfield | 1,287 | 131.3 | -67% |
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 City Centre over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 784 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 300 |
| On or near Market Street | 229 |
| On or near Supermarket | 116 |
| On or near Butler Street | 112 |
| On or near Cheapside | 112 |
| On or near Stanley Street | 104 |
| On or near Falkland Street | 103 |
| On or near Union Street | 99 |
| On or near Central Bus And Coach Station | 96 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in City Centre 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 1,373 | 26.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,297 | 24.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,075 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 420 | 8.1% |
| Local resolution | 278 | 5.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 250 | 4.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 196 | 3.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 183 | 3.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 86 | 1.6% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 23 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 11 | 0.2% |
City Centre has an estimated population of 12,936. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in City Centre sits in decile 2.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | City Centre |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 11.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 82.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 29.6% |
| Social rented homes | 19.6% |
| Private rented homes | 50.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 9.6% |
Is City Centre a safe place to live?
City Centre recorded 403.0 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 City Centre?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,597 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,373).
Is crime in City Centre going up or down?
Recorded crime in City Centre was down 10% on the year before: 5,213 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,777 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers City Centre?
City Centre 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 City Centre. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.