Crime in St Matthew's, Preston: statistics, rates and trends
2,149 crimes were recorded in St Matthew's, Preston in the 12 months to July 2026, 174.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in St Matthew's, Preston at a glance
- Crime trends in St Matthew's, Preston
- Types of crime in St Matthew's, Preston
- St Matthew's, Preston compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in St Matthew's, Preston
- What happened after crimes were reported in St Matthew's, Preston
- Population and deprivation in St Matthew's, Preston
- Questions about crime in St Matthew's, Preston
- About this data
2,149 crimes were recorded in St Matthew's, Preston in the 12 months to July 2026, 174.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 707 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, St Matthew's, Preston has the 286th highest crime rate.
| Measure | St Matthew's, Preston | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,149 | 20,865 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 174.2 | 128.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 12,333 | 162,864 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in St Matthew's, Preston was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,285 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,127). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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 | 2,149 | 174.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,127 | 172.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,288 | 185.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,513 | 203.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,841 | 230.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,285 | 266.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,911 | 236.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,922 | 236.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,033 | 245.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 187 |
| June 2026 | 167 |
| May 2026 | 191 |
| April 2026 | 166 |
| March 2026 | 180 |
| February 2026 | 140 |
| January 2026 | 186 |
| December 2025 | 165 |
| November 2025 | 177 |
| October 2025 | 159 |
| September 2025 | 214 |
| August 2025 | 217 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in St Matthew's, Preston 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in drugs (+72%) and other crime (+49%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-18%) and possession of weapons (-16%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 707 | 57.3 | 1.67 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 506 | 41.0 | 2.67 | -18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 178 | 14.4 | 2.13 | +26% |
| Other theft | 128 | 10.4 | 1.62 | -9% |
| Vehicle crime | 115 | 9.3 | 1.89 | -9% |
| Public order | 114 | 9.2 | 1.39 | +0% |
| Drugs | 98 | 7.9 | 2.43 | +72% |
| Shoplifting | 76 | 6.2 | 0.74 | -6% |
| Burglary | 74 | 6.0 | 1.70 | +1% |
| Other crime | 55 | 4.5 | 2.11 | +49% |
| Possession of weapons | 32 | 2.6 | 2.67 | -16% |
| Robbery | 29 | 2.4 | 1.74 | +4% |
| Bicycle theft | 21 | 1.7 | 2.07 | +62% |
| Theft from the person | 16 | 1.3 | 0.77 | +300% |
Violence and sexual offences in St Matthew's, Preston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (57.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 32.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in St Matthew's, Preston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 506 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 23.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in St Matthew's, Preston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in St Matthew's, Preston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in St Matthew's, Preston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in St Matthew's, Preston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in St Matthew's, Preston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 72% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in St Matthew's, Preston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in St Matthew's, Preston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in St Matthew's, Preston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in St Matthew's, Preston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in St Matthew's, Preston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in St Matthew's, Preston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in St Matthew's, Preston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. St Matthew's, Preston recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to St Matthew's, Preston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to St Matthew's, Preston.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs St Matthew's, Preston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 1,174 | 118.6 | -32% |
| Deepdale | 1,362 | 130.5 | -25% |
| Brookfield | 1,287 | 131.3 | -25% |
| City Centre | 5,213 | 403.0 | +131% |
| Ribbleton | 1,144 | 133.3 | -24% |
| Garrison | 630 | 64.0 | -63% |
| Plungington | 1,721 | 142.1 | -18% |
| Sharoe Green | 819 | 98.6 | -43% |
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 St Matthew's, Preston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 88 |
| On or near Maitland Close | 79 |
| On or near Shakespeare Road | 74 |
| On or near Edmund Street | 57 |
| On or near Osbourne Way | 55 |
| On or near Thorn Street | 47 |
| On or near Burns Street | 45 |
| On or near Derby Square | 38 |
| On or near Bootle Street | 37 |
| On or near Strutt Street | 37 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in St Matthew's, Preston 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 | 619 | 28.8% |
| Not recorded | 506 | 23.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 458 | 21.3% |
| Under investigation | 166 | 7.7% |
| Local resolution | 101 | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 93 | 4.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 72 | 3.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 66 | 3.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 47 | 2.2% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 7 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.2% |
St Matthew's, Preston has an estimated population of 12,333. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in St Matthew's, Preston sits in decile 1.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | St Matthew's, Preston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 7.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 34.4% |
| Social rented homes | 33.6% |
| Private rented homes | 32.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 100.0% |
Is St Matthew's, Preston a safe place to live?
St Matthew's, Preston recorded 174.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 St Matthew's, Preston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (506).
Is crime in St Matthew's, Preston going up or down?
Recorded crime in St Matthew's, Preston was up 1% on the year before: 2,149 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,127 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers St Matthew's, Preston?
St Matthew's, Preston 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 St Matthew's, Preston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.