Crime in Burscough: statistics, rates and trends
755 crimes were recorded in Burscough in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Burscough at a glance
- Crime trends in Burscough
- Types of crime in Burscough
- Burscough compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Burscough
- Streets with the most crime in Burscough
- What happened after crimes were reported in Burscough
- Population and deprivation in Burscough
- Questions about crime in Burscough
- About this data
755 crimes were recorded in Burscough in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower 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 296 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Burscough has the 716th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Burscough | West Lancashire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 755 | 7,597 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 73.6 | 62.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -12% | -1% |
| Population | 10,258 | 121,995 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Burscough was highest in the year to July 2026 (755 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (522). Over the whole period it rose 8%, 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 | 755 | 73.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 745 | 72.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 560 | 54.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 533 | 52.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 525 | 51.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 699 | 68.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 554 | 54.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 522 | 50.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 701 | 68.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 72 |
| June 2026 | 54 |
| May 2026 | 48 |
| April 2026 | 55 |
| March 2026 | 71 |
| February 2026 | 40 |
| January 2026 | 62 |
| December 2025 | 67 |
| November 2025 | 93 |
| October 2025 | 60 |
| September 2025 | 65 |
| August 2025 | 68 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Burscough 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. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+39%) and violence and sexual offences (+26%).
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-30%) and other theft (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 296 | 28.9 | 0.84 | +26% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 186 | 18.1 | 1.18 | -21% |
| Shoplifting | 68 | 6.6 | 0.80 | +39% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 49 | 4.8 | 0.70 | -30% |
| Other theft | 44 | 4.3 | 0.67 | -21% |
| Public order | 35 | 3.4 | 0.51 | +9% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.9 | 0.88 | +46% |
| Burglary | 18 | 1.8 | 0.50 | +6% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.5 | 0.45 | +7% |
| Vehicle crime | 13 | 1.3 | 0.26 | -7% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.5 | 0.50 | -38% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 0.23 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.24 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Burscough
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Burscough recorded 296 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 39.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Burscough
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Burscough recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 24.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Burscough
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Burscough recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Burscough
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Burscough recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Burscough
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Burscough recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Burscough
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Burscough recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Burscough
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Burscough recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Burscough
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Burscough recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Burscough
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Burscough recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Burscough
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Burscough recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Burscough
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Burscough recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Burscough
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Burscough recorded 4 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Burscough
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Burscough recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Burscough
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Burscough recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Burscough, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Burscough.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Burscough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ormskirk | 1,494 | 49.0 | -33% |
| Skelmersdale | 3,420 | 96.9 | +32% |
| Banks | 226 | 44.1 | -40% |
| Tarleton and Hesketh Bank | 350 | 37.2 | -49% |
| Lydiate | 305 | 36.6 | -50% |
| Southport | 7,654 | 80.6 | +10% |
| Rainford | 193 | 35.9 | -51% |
| Maghull | 978 | 50.0 | -32% |
2 areas within Burscough, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Burscough Town had the highest rate (75.3 per 1,000) and Burscough Bridge & Rufford the lowest (58.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burscough Town | Neighbourhood | 6,150 | 463 | 75.3 |
| Burscough Bridge & Rufford | Neighbourhood | 7,453 | 435 | 58.4 |
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 Burscough over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Admiralty Close | 65 |
| On or near Supermarket | 38 |
| On or near Lordsgate Lane | 31 |
| On or near Abbey Lane | 30 |
| On or near Liverpool Road North | 28 |
| On or near Chancel Way | 25 |
| On or near Parking Area | 25 |
| On or near Boundary Lane | 22 |
| On or near Higgin'S Lane | 20 |
| On or near Orrell Lane | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Burscough 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 | 249 | 33.0% |
| Not recorded | 186 | 24.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 124 | 16.4% |
| Under investigation | 69 | 9.1% |
| Local resolution | 35 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 31 | 4.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 3.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 19 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 2 | 0.3% |
Burscough has an estimated population of 10,258. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Burscough sits in decile 7.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Burscough |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.9% |
| Social rented homes | 10.7% |
| Private rented homes | 14.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.4 |
Is Burscough a safe place to live?
Burscough recorded 73.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Burscough?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 296 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (186).
Is crime in Burscough going up or down?
Recorded crime in Burscough was up 1% on the year before: 755 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 745 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Burscough?
Burscough 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 Burscough. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.