Crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen): statistics, rates and trends
14,478 crimes were recorded in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) at a glance
- Crime trends in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Types of crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Streets with the most crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Population and deprivation in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Questions about crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- About this data
14,478 crimes were recorded in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,525 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) has the 221st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) | Blackburn with Darwen | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 14,478 | 18,049 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 114.1 | 111.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 126,925 | 162,540 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) was highest in the year to July 2021 (19,006 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (14,478). Over the whole period it fell 21%, 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 | 14,478 | 114.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 15,467 | 121.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 15,095 | 118.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 15,359 | 121.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 16,733 | 131.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 19,006 | 149.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 17,908 | 141.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 17,807 | 140.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 18,288 | 144.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,358 |
| June 2026 | 1,259 |
| May 2026 | 1,277 |
| April 2026 | 1,157 |
| March 2026 | 1,190 |
| February 2026 | 991 |
| January 2026 | 1,013 |
| December 2025 | 1,117 |
| November 2025 | 1,181 |
| October 2025 | 1,306 |
| September 2025 | 1,203 |
| August 2025 | 1,426 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) 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, other crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+29%) and possession of weapons (+23%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-31%) and vehicle crime (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 5,525 | 43.5 | 1.27 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 3,074 | 24.2 | 1.58 | -31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,049 | 8.3 | 1.22 | +3% |
| Public order | 937 | 7.4 | 1.11 | +21% |
| Other theft | 825 | 6.5 | 1.02 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 820 | 6.5 | 0.78 | -22% |
| Vehicle crime | 679 | 5.3 | 1.09 | -23% |
| Drugs | 452 | 3.6 | 1.09 | +29% |
| Other crime | 400 | 3.2 | 1.49 | +8% |
| Burglary | 346 | 2.7 | 0.77 | -2% |
| Possession of weapons | 163 | 1.3 | 1.32 | +23% |
| Robbery | 112 | 0.9 | 0.65 | -12% |
| Theft from the person | 53 | 0.4 | 0.25 | -5% |
| Bicycle theft | 43 | 0.3 | 0.41 | +13% |
Violence and sexual offences in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 5,525 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 38.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 3,074 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 1,049 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 3% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 937 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 825 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 820 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 679 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 452 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 400 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 163 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 23% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishton | 662 | 94.4 | -17% |
| Oswaldtwistle | 1,120 | 122.8 | +8% |
| Darwen | 3,076 | 104.9 | -8% |
| Great Harwood | 1,101 | 96.0 | -16% |
| Clayton-le-Moors | 1,153 | 115.1 | +1% |
| Accrington | 5,517 | 150.8 | +32% |
| Haslingden | 1,231 | 73.5 | -36% |
| Longridge (Ribble Valley) | 630 | 66.4 | -42% |
14 areas within Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Blackburn Central had the highest rate (263.6 per 1,000) and Wilpshire & Ramsgreave the lowest (28.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn Central | Neighbourhood | 12,825 | 3,381 | 263.6 |
| Blackburn South East | Neighbourhood | 7,968 | 1,177 | 147.7 |
| Mill Hill & Moorgate | Neighbourhood | 7,998 | 1,181 | 147.7 |
| Audley & Queen's Park | Neighbourhood | 11,350 | 1,613 | 142.1 |
| Shear Brow & Corporation Park | Neighbourhood | 9,308 | 1,233 | 132.5 |
| Ewood | Neighbourhood | 9,231 | 1,214 | 131.5 |
| Little Harwood & Whitebirk | Neighbourhood | 10,094 | 1,035 | 102.5 |
| Wensley Fold | Neighbourhood | 9,781 | 972 | 99.4 |
| Blackburn South & Lower Darwen | Neighbourhood | 9,557 | 703 | 73.6 |
| Roe Lee | Neighbourhood | 9,941 | 683 | 68.7 |
| Bastwell & Daisyfield | Neighbourhood | 9,535 | 577 | 60.5 |
| Livesey with Pleasington | Neighbourhood | 9,400 | 541 | 57.6 |
| Billinge & Beardwood | Neighbourhood | 9,816 | 394 | 40.1 |
| Wilpshire & Ramsgreave | Neighbourhood | 5,209 | 149 | 28.6 |
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 Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 546 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 499 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 380 |
| On or near Pankhurst Close | 350 |
| On or near Supermarket | 345 |
| On or near Thornley Avenue | 256 |
| On or near Astley Gate | 202 |
| On or near High Street | 187 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 177 |
| On or near Dunoon Drive | 124 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) 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 | 4,577 | 31.6% |
| Not recorded | 3,074 | 21.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,071 | 21.2% |
| Under investigation | 1,257 | 8.7% |
| Local resolution | 801 | 5.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 500 | 3.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 474 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 356 | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 162 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 103 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 57 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 27 | 0.2% |
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) has an estimated population of 126,925. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) sits in decile 3.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.4% |
| Social rented homes | 20.5% |
| Private rented homes | 19.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 40.7% |
Is Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) a safe place to live?
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) recorded 114.1 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 Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 5,525 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (3,074).
Is crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) was down 6% on the year before: 14,478 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 15,467 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)?
Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen) 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 Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.