Crime in Preston Rural North: statistics, rates and trends
360 crimes were recorded in Preston Rural North in the 12 months to August 2026, 45.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Preston Rural North
- Questions about crime in Preston Rural North
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (149), anti-social behaviour (85) and criminal damage and arson (41) made up 76% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,202nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Preston Rural North | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 360 | 20,756 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 45.8 | 127.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -8% | -1% |
| Population | 7,852 | 162,864 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Preston Rural North peaked in the year to August 2025 (385 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2019 (239). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 40%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 360 | 45.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 385 | 49.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 348 | 44.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 357 | 45.5 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 261 | 33.2 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 340 | 43.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 297 | 37.8 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 239 | 30.4 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 258 | 32.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 33 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and other theft (55% below) and violence and sexual offences (45% below) were well below it. On the year before, criminal damage and arson rose from 24 to 41, while anti-social behaviour fell from 137 to 85.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 149 | 19.0 | 34.2 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 85 | 10.8 | 15.4 | -38% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 41 | 5.2 | 6.7 | +71% |
| Other theft | 23 | 2.9 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.0 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Public order | 14 | 1.8 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.5 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 12 | 1.5 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 4 | 0.5 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.1 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Every one of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods has a higher crime rate than Preston Rural North.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Preston Rural North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingol & Cottam | 1,102 | 90.5 | +97% |
| Greyfriars | 387 | 49.8 | +9% |
| Cadley | 485 | 50.7 | +11% |
| Sharoe Green | 819 | 98.6 | +115% |
| Lea & Larches | 782 | 93.8 | +105% |
| Ashton | 1,372 | 134.1 | +193% |
| Plungington | 1,711 | 141.2 | +208% |
| Garrison | 625 | 63.5 | +38% |
The 10 locations below account for 49% of the crime recorded in Preston Rural North over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Sandy Lane” (41).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Sandy Lane | 41 |
| On or near Harvester Drive | 23 |
| On or near Rosemary Lane | 19 |
| On or near Daisyfields | 18 |
| On or near The Sidings | 18 |
| On or near Beagle Close | 14 |
| On or near Chiswell Road | 12 |
| On or near Hollowforth Lane | 11 |
| On or near St Michael'S Place | 10 |
| On or near Tabley Lane | 10 |
Of the 275 crimes in Preston Rural North with a recorded outcome, 21% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 1.5% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 85 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 122 | 44.4% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 59 | 21.5% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 47 | 17.1% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 5.8% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 4.4% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 4 | 1.5% | 5.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.1% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 1.1% | 0.6% |
Preston Rural North has an estimated population of 7,852 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (2.5%, against 17.1%), fewer households without a car (4.5%, against 23.3%) and less private renting (7.3%, against 20.3%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Preston Rural North average decile 8.5 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Preston Rural North | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.3% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.6% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 71.0% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.4% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 19.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.9% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 47.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 8.5% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 4.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 90.2% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 2.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 7.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Preston Rural North a safe place to live?
Preston Rural North recorded 45.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,202nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Preston Rural North?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 149 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (85).
Is crime in Preston Rural North going up or down?
Recorded crime in Preston Rural North was down 6% on the year before: 360 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 385 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Preston Rural North?
About 7,852 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 13% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Preston Rural North?
Preston Rural North is policed by Lancashire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.