Crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk: statistics, rates and trends
1,035 crimes were recorded in Little Harwood & Whitebirk in the 12 months to July 2026, 102.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk at a glance
- Crime trends in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- Types of crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- Little Harwood & Whitebirk compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- What happened after crimes were reported in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- Population and deprivation in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- Questions about crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
- About this data
1,035 crimes were recorded in Little Harwood & Whitebirk in the 12 months to July 2026, 102.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 423 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Little Harwood & Whitebirk has the 1,178th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Little Harwood & Whitebirk | Blackburn with Darwen | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,035 | 18,049 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 102.5 | 111.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 10,094 | 162,540 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,494 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,035). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 | 1,035 | 102.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,046 | 103.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,081 | 107.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,265 | 125.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,306 | 129.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,494 | 148.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,215 | 120.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,262 | 125.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,265 | 125.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 98 |
| June 2026 | 85 |
| May 2026 | 94 |
| April 2026 | 75 |
| March 2026 | 86 |
| February 2026 | 82 |
| January 2026 | 65 |
| December 2025 | 82 |
| November 2025 | 85 |
| October 2025 | 86 |
| September 2025 | 77 |
| August 2025 | 120 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Little Harwood & Whitebirk 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, other crime, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+14%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-37%) and anti-social behaviour (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 423 | 41.9 | 1.22 | +14% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 208 | 20.6 | 1.34 | -21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 84 | 8.3 | 1.23 | +1% |
| Public order | 61 | 6.0 | 0.91 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 59 | 5.8 | 1.19 | -6% |
| Other theft | 48 | 4.8 | 0.74 | +9% |
| Drugs | 41 | 4.1 | 1.24 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 34 | 3.4 | 0.41 | -37% |
| Other crime | 30 | 3.0 | 1.41 | +3% |
| Burglary | 25 | 2.5 | 0.70 | -4% |
| Possession of weapons | 17 | 1.7 | 1.73 | +89% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 0.22 | -25% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.12 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 40.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 89% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Little Harwood & Whitebirk
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Little Harwood & Whitebirk, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Little Harwood & Whitebirk.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Little Harwood & Whitebirk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bastwell & Daisyfield | 577 | 60.5 | -41% |
| Audley & Queen's Park | 1,613 | 142.1 | +39% |
| Roe Lee | 683 | 68.7 | -33% |
| Blackburn Central | 3,381 | 263.6 | +157% |
| Shear Brow & Corporation Park | 1,233 | 132.5 | +29% |
| Blackburn South East | 1,177 | 147.7 | +44% |
| Wensley Fold | 972 | 99.4 | -3% |
| Billinge & Beardwood | 394 | 40.1 | -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 Little Harwood & Whitebirk over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Thornley Avenue | 256 |
| On or near Hamer Avenue | 74 |
| On or near Eagle Street | 54 |
| On or near Whitebirk Road | 35 |
| On or near A679 | 28 |
| On or near Gloucester Road | 25 |
| On or near Ingleby Close | 22 |
| On or near Bank Lane | 21 |
| On or near St Stephen'S Avenue | 21 |
| On or near Zion Road | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Little Harwood & Whitebirk 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 | 321 | 31.0% |
| Not recorded | 208 | 20.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 191 | 18.5% |
| Under investigation | 87 | 8.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 57 | 5.5% |
| Local resolution | 53 | 5.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 48 | 4.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 34 | 3.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 22 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Little Harwood & Whitebirk has an estimated population of 10,094. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Little Harwood & Whitebirk sits in decile 2.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Little Harwood & Whitebirk |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 25.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 55.6% |
| Social rented homes | 23.1% |
| Private rented homes | 21.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.1 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 20.1% |
Is Little Harwood & Whitebirk a safe place to live?
Little Harwood & Whitebirk recorded 102.5 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 Little Harwood & Whitebirk?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (208).
Is crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk going up or down?
Recorded crime in Little Harwood & Whitebirk was down 1% on the year before: 1,035 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,046 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Little Harwood & Whitebirk?
Little Harwood & Whitebirk 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 Little Harwood & Whitebirk. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.