Crime in Darwen South: statistics, rates and trends

598 crimes were recorded in Darwen South in the 12 months to July 2026, 61.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 236 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Darwen South has the 2,519th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Darwen South was highest in the year to July 2021 (920 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (587). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Darwen South 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 public order (+41%) and criminal damage and arson (+21%).

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-37%) and burglary (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Darwen South

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Darwen South recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 39.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Darwen South

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Darwen South recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 19.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Darwen South

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Darwen South recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Darwen South

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Darwen South recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Darwen South

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Darwen South recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Darwen South

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Darwen South recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Darwen South

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Darwen South recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 77% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Darwen South

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Darwen South recorded 19 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 21% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Darwen South

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Darwen South recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Darwen South

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Darwen South recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Darwen South

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Darwen South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Darwen South

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Darwen South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Darwen South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Darwen South.

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 South over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Darwen South 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.

Darwen South has an estimated population of 9,658. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Darwen South sits in decile 4.8, 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 Darwen South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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