Crime in Lea & Larches: statistics, rates and trends
776 crimes were recorded in Lea & Larches in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lea & Larches at a glance
- Crime trends in Lea & Larches
- Types of crime in Lea & Larches
- Lea & Larches compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Lea & Larches
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lea & Larches
- Population and deprivation in Lea & Larches
- Questions about crime in Lea & Larches
- About this data
776 crimes were recorded in Lea & Larches in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 316 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Lea & Larches has the 1,411th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lea & Larches | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 776 | 20,865 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 93.1 | 128.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 8,336 | 162,864 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lea & Larches was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,589 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (776). Over the whole period it fell 39%, 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 | 776 | 93.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 873 | 104.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 828 | 99.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 911 | 109.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,272 | 152.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,589 | 190.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,342 | 161.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,258 | 150.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,266 | 151.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 72 |
| June 2026 | 54 |
| May 2026 | 81 |
| April 2026 | 74 |
| March 2026 | 75 |
| February 2026 | 53 |
| January 2026 | 50 |
| December 2025 | 57 |
| November 2025 | 50 |
| October 2025 | 81 |
| September 2025 | 64 |
| August 2025 | 65 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lea & Larches 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 anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, possession of weapons.
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-60%) and anti-social behaviour (-34%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 316 | 37.9 | 1.11 | +10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 174 | 20.9 | 1.36 | -34% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 76 | 9.1 | 1.34 | -13% |
| Other theft | 48 | 5.8 | 0.90 | +7% |
| Public order | 39 | 4.7 | 0.70 | +5% |
| Burglary | 27 | 3.2 | 0.92 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 2.9 | 0.58 | -60% |
| Other crime | 16 | 1.9 | 0.91 | -24% |
| Shoplifting | 16 | 1.9 | 0.23 | -6% |
| Drugs | 13 | 1.6 | 0.48 | +86% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 1.3 | 1.36 | +38% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 1.1 | 1.31 | +200% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.7 | 0.53 | -25% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lea & Larches
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lea & Larches recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 40.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lea & Larches
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lea & Larches recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lea & Larches
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lea & Larches recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lea & Larches
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lea & Larches recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lea & Larches
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lea & Larches recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lea & Larches
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lea & Larches recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lea & Larches
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lea & Larches recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lea & Larches
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lea & Larches recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lea & Larches
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lea & Larches recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lea & Larches
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lea & Larches recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 86% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lea & Larches
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lea & Larches recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lea & Larches
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lea & Larches recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lea & Larches
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lea & Larches recorded 6 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 down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lea & Larches
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lea & Larches recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, 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 Lea & Larches, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lea & Larches.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lea & Larches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton | 1,394 | 136.3 | +46% |
| Ingol & Cottam | 1,125 | 92.4 | -1% |
| Cadley | 486 | 50.9 | -45% |
| Plungington | 1,721 | 142.1 | +53% |
| City Centre | 5,213 | 403.0 | +333% |
| Greyfriars | 389 | 50.0 | -46% |
| Preston Rural North | 371 | 47.2 | -49% |
| Deepdale | 1,362 | 130.5 | +40% |
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 Lea & Larches over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Heywood Road | 32 |
| On or near Sheffield Drive | 32 |
| On or near Blackpool Road | 30 |
| On or near Layton Road | 27 |
| On or near Formby Place | 26 |
| On or near Ashford Road | 22 |
| On or near Alder Coppice | 21 |
| On or near Whinfield Place | 20 |
| On or near Nelson Drive | 19 |
| On or near Ashton Bank Way | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lea & Larches 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 | 251 | 32.3% |
| Not recorded | 174 | 22.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 145 | 18.7% |
| Under investigation | 56 | 7.2% |
| Local resolution | 52 | 6.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 30 | 3.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 21 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 2.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 6 | 0.8% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 5 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.5% |
Lea & Larches has an estimated population of 8,336. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lea & Larches sits in decile 3.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lea & Larches |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.8% |
| Social rented homes | 24.8% |
| Private rented homes | 12.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.5 |
Is Lea & Larches a safe place to live?
Lea & Larches recorded 93.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Lea & Larches?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (174).
Is crime in Lea & Larches going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lea & Larches was down 11% on the year before: 776 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 873 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lea & Larches?
Lea & Larches 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 Lea & Larches. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.