Crime in Darwen East: statistics, rates and trends
1,408 crimes were recorded in Darwen East in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Darwen East at a glance
- Crime trends in Darwen East
- Types of crime in Darwen East
- Darwen East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Darwen East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Darwen East
- Population and deprivation in Darwen East
- Questions about crime in Darwen East
- About this data
1,408 crimes were recorded in Darwen East in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 604 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Darwen East has the 658th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Darwen East | Blackburn with Darwen | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,408 | 18,049 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 131.4 | 111.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 10,714 | 162,540 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Darwen East was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,117 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,408). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 1,408 | 131.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,533 | 143.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,574 | 146.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,618 | 151.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,728 | 161.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,117 | 197.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,696 | 158.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,600 | 149.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,572 | 146.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 85 |
| June 2026 | 123 |
| May 2026 | 116 |
| April 2026 | 104 |
| March 2026 | 112 |
| February 2026 | 116 |
| January 2026 | 123 |
| December 2025 | 131 |
| November 2025 | 123 |
| October 2025 | 98 |
| September 2025 | 140 |
| August 2025 | 137 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Darwen East 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, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in drugs (+30%) and other crime (+13%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-32%) and anti-social behaviour (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 604 | 56.4 | 1.65 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 316 | 29.5 | 1.92 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 100 | 9.3 | 1.38 | -32% |
| Vehicle crime | 70 | 6.5 | 1.33 | -16% |
| Public order | 62 | 5.8 | 0.87 | -3% |
| Other theft | 59 | 5.5 | 0.86 | -14% |
| Burglary | 45 | 4.2 | 1.19 | +7% |
| Other crime | 44 | 4.1 | 1.94 | +13% |
| Shoplifting | 44 | 4.1 | 0.50 | +0% |
| Drugs | 30 | 2.8 | 0.86 | +30% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 2.1 | 2.11 | +38% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.7 | 0.48 | +40% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 0.22 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.11 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Darwen East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Darwen East recorded 604 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (56.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 42.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Darwen East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Darwen East recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Darwen East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Darwen East recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Darwen East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Darwen East recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Darwen East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Darwen East recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Darwen East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Darwen East recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Darwen East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Darwen East recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Darwen East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Darwen East recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Darwen East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Darwen East recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Darwen East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Darwen East recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Darwen East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Darwen East recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Darwen East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Darwen East recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Darwen East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Darwen East recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Darwen East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Darwen East recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Darwen East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Darwen East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Darwen East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darwen West | 984 | 125.7 | -4% |
| Darwen South | 598 | 61.9 | -53% |
| Blackburn South & Lower Darwen | 703 | 73.6 | -44% |
| Ewood | 1,214 | 131.5 | +0% |
| Blackburn South East | 1,177 | 147.7 | +12% |
| Mill Hill & Moorgate | 1,181 | 147.7 | +12% |
| Blackburn Central | 3,381 | 263.6 | +101% |
| Audley & Queen's Park | 1,613 | 142.1 | +8% |
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 Darwen East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Sandringham Road | 77 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 72 |
| On or near Linden Crescent | 53 |
| On or near Anyon Street | 44 |
| On or near Blackburn Road | 36 |
| On or near Preston Street | 33 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 33 |
| On or near Falcon Avenue | 30 |
| On or near Two Gates Drive | 26 |
| On or near London Terrace | 24 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Darwen East 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 | 499 | 35.4% |
| Not recorded | 316 | 22.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 261 | 18.5% |
| Under investigation | 103 | 7.3% |
| Local resolution | 73 | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 53 | 3.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 33 | 2.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 24 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 24 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 3 | 0.2% |
Darwen East has an estimated population of 10,714. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Darwen East sits in decile 1.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Darwen East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 49.0% |
| Social rented homes | 19.3% |
| Private rented homes | 31.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 59.7% |
Is Darwen East a safe place to live?
Darwen East recorded 131.4 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 Darwen East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 604 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (316).
Is crime in Darwen East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Darwen East was down 8% on the year before: 1,408 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,533 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Darwen East?
Darwen East 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 Darwen East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.