Crime in Burnley: statistics, rates and trends

12,326 crimes were recorded in Burnley in the 12 months to July 2026, 147.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,207 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Burnley has the 71st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Burnley was highest in the year to July 2021 (14,845 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (12,007). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 Burnley 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, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+47%) and public order (+46%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-26%) and possession of weapons (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Burnley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Burnley recorded 4,207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 34.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Burnley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Burnley recorded 2,466 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Burnley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Burnley recorded 1,258 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Burnley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Burnley recorded 906 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Burnley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Burnley recorded 729 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Burnley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Burnley recorded 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Burnley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Burnley recorded 605 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Burnley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Burnley recorded 520 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Burnley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Burnley recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Burnley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Burnley recorded 309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Burnley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Burnley recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Burnley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Burnley recorded 112 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Burnley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Burnley recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Burnley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Burnley recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Burnley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Trinity had the highest rate (298.6 per 1,000) and Cliviger with Worsthorne the lowest (47.4). 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 Burnley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Burnley 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.

Burnley has an estimated population of 83,875. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Burnley 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 Burnley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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