Crime in Preston Rural North: statistics, rates and trends
371 crimes were recorded in Preston Rural North in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Preston Rural North at a glance
- Crime trends in Preston Rural North
- Types of crime in Preston Rural North
- Preston Rural North compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Preston Rural North
- What happened after crimes were reported in Preston Rural North
- Population and deprivation in Preston Rural North
- Questions about crime in Preston Rural North
- About this data
371 crimes were recorded in Preston Rural North in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 150 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Preston Rural North has the 3,139th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Preston Rural North | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 371 | 20,865 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 47.2 | 128.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 7,852 | 162,864 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Preston Rural North was highest in the year to July 2026 (371 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (246). Over the whole period it rose 47%, 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 | 371 | 47.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 363 | 46.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 370 | 47.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 344 | 43.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 247 | 31.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 353 | 45.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 286 | 36.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 246 | 31.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 252 | 32.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 42 |
| June 2026 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 25 |
| April 2026 | 26 |
| March 2026 | 20 |
| February 2026 | 32 |
| January 2026 | 24 |
| December 2025 | 23 |
| November 2025 | 40 |
| October 2025 | 33 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 44 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Preston Rural North 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 criminal damage and arson (+61%) and violence and sexual offences (+15%).
The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-22%) and vehicle crime (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 150 | 19.1 | 0.56 | +15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 97 | 12.4 | 0.81 | -22% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 37 | 4.7 | 0.69 | +61% |
| Other theft | 18 | 2.3 | 0.36 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 2.2 | 0.44 | -15% |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.0 | 0.58 | +0% |
| Public order | 15 | 1.9 | 0.29 | +15% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.5 | 0.72 | +33% |
| Shoplifting | 5 | 0.6 | 0.08 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.15 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.13 | +0% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Preston Rural North
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Preston Rural North recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 40.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Preston Rural North
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Preston Rural North recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 26.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Preston Rural North
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Preston Rural North recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Preston Rural North
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Preston Rural North recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Preston Rural North
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Preston Rural North recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Preston Rural North
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Preston Rural North recorded 16 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Preston Rural North
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Preston Rural North recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Preston Rural North
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Preston Rural North recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Preston Rural North
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Preston Rural North recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Preston Rural North
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Preston Rural North 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 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Preston Rural North
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Preston Rural North recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Preston Rural North
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Preston Rural North recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Preston Rural North
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Preston Rural North 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 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 Preston Rural North, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Preston Rural North.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Preston Rural North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingol & Cottam | 1,125 | 92.4 | +96% |
| Greyfriars | 389 | 50.0 | +6% |
| Cadley | 486 | 50.9 | +8% |
| Sharoe Green | 819 | 98.6 | +109% |
| Lea & Larches | 776 | 93.1 | +97% |
| Ashton | 1,394 | 136.3 | +188% |
| Plungington | 1,721 | 142.1 | +201% |
| Garrison | 630 | 64.0 | +35% |
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 Preston Rural North over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Sandy Lane | 44 |
| On or near Rosemary Lane | 25 |
| On or near Harvester Drive | 24 |
| On or near Daisyfields | 20 |
| On or near The Sidings | 15 |
| On or near Beagle Close | 12 |
| On or near Chiswell Road | 12 |
| On or near Hollowforth Lane | 11 |
| On or near Tabley Lane | 11 |
| On or near Jepps Avenue | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Preston Rural North 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 | 126 | 34.0% |
| Not recorded | 97 | 26.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 60 | 16.2% |
| Under investigation | 40 | 10.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 4.3% |
| Local resolution | 14 | 3.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2 | 0.5% |
Preston Rural North has an estimated population of 7,852. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Preston Rural North sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Preston Rural North |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 90.2% |
| Social rented homes | 2.5% |
| Private rented homes | 7.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Preston Rural North a safe place to live?
Preston Rural North recorded 47.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Preston Rural North?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (97).
Is crime in Preston Rural North going up or down?
Recorded crime in Preston Rural North was up 2% on the year before: 371 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 363 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Preston Rural North?
Preston Rural North 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 Preston Rural North. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.