Crime in Blackpool: statistics, rates and trends

27,786 crimes were recorded in Blackpool in the 12 months to July 2026, 180.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,436 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Blackpool has the 22nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Blackpool was highest in the year to July 2018 (36,203 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (27,786). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Blackpool 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 falls were in anti-social behaviour (-33%) and shoplifting (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Blackpool

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Blackpool recorded 11,436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (74.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 41.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Blackpool

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Blackpool recorded 6,173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 22.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Blackpool

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Blackpool recorded 1,862 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Blackpool

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Blackpool recorded 1,631 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Blackpool

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Blackpool recorded 1,614 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Blackpool

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Blackpool recorded 1,235 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Blackpool

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Blackpool recorded 876 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Blackpool

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Blackpool recorded 730 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Blackpool

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Blackpool recorded 723 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Blackpool

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Blackpool recorded 607 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Blackpool

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Blackpool recorded 348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Blackpool

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Blackpool recorded 239 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Blackpool

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Blackpool recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Blackpool

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Blackpool recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Blackpool, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Blackpool.

22 areas within Blackpool, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Talbot had the highest rate (646.5 per 1,000) and Stanley the lowest (51.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Blackpool over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Blackpool 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.

Blackpool has an estimated population of 154,112. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Blackpool sits in decile 3.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Blackpool. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.