Crime in Colne: statistics, rates and trends
2,565 crimes were recorded in Colne in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,565 crimes were recorded in Colne in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 934 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Colne has the 141st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Colne | Pendle | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,565 | 9,393 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 126.9 | 94.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 20,213 | 99,777 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Colne was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,301 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,565). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 2,565 | 126.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,845 | 140.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,748 | 136.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,856 | 141.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,007 | 148.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,301 | 163.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,879 | 142.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,076 | 152.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,059 | 151.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 202 |
| June 2026 | 203 |
| May 2026 | 229 |
| April 2026 | 228 |
| March 2026 | 182 |
| February 2026 | 185 |
| January 2026 | 194 |
| December 2025 | 210 |
| November 2025 | 198 |
| October 2025 | 237 |
| September 2025 | 217 |
| August 2025 | 280 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Colne 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 (+88%) and burglary (+52%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-33%) and shoplifting (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 934 | 46.2 | 1.35 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 618 | 30.6 | 1.99 | -33% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 212 | 10.5 | 1.55 | -11% |
| Shoplifting | 156 | 7.7 | 0.93 | -18% |
| Public order | 154 | 7.6 | 1.15 | +3% |
| Burglary | 123 | 6.1 | 1.72 | +52% |
| Other theft | 118 | 5.8 | 0.91 | +17% |
| Vehicle crime | 70 | 3.5 | 0.70 | -18% |
| Other crime | 63 | 3.1 | 1.48 | +7% |
| Drugs | 60 | 3.0 | 0.91 | +88% |
| Possession of weapons | 29 | 1.4 | 1.48 | +16% |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.6 | 0.48 | -13% |
| Theft from the person | 11 | 0.5 | 0.32 | +175% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.2 | 0.24 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Colne
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Colne recorded 934 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 36.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Colne
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Colne recorded 618 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 24.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Colne
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Colne recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Colne
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Colne recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Colne
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Colne recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Colne
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Colne recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Colne
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Colne recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Colne
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Colne recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Colne
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Colne recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Colne
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Colne recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 88% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Colne
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Colne recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Colne
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Colne recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Colne
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Colne recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 175% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Colne
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Colne recorded 4 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 down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Colne, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Colne.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Colne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrowford | 437 | 64.1 | -49% |
| Nelson (Pendle) | 3,946 | 109.7 | -14% |
| Brierfield | 1,222 | 98.0 | -23% |
| Barnoldswick | 588 | 52.7 | -58% |
| Burnley | 12,326 | 147.0 | +16% |
| Padiham | 1,549 | 139.7 | +10% |
| Steeton | 397 | 74.8 | -41% |
| Skipton | 1,221 | 76.9 | -39% |
3 areas within Colne, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Vivary Bridge had the highest rate (151.2 per 1,000) and Boulsworth & Foulridge the lowest (46.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivary Bridge | Neighbourhood | 7,215 | 1,091 | 151.2 |
| Waterside & Horsfield | Neighbourhood | 8,249 | 1,238 | 150.1 |
| Boulsworth & Foulridge | Neighbourhood | 8,369 | 386 | 46.1 |
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 Colne over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 84 |
| On or near Dockray Court | 78 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 58 |
| On or near Parking Area | 47 |
| On or near Back Zion Street | 46 |
| On or near Colne | 39 |
| On or near Glen Street | 39 |
| On or near Lilac Street | 38 |
| On or near Slater Avenue | 36 |
| On or near Spring Place | 35 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Colne 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 | 781 | 30.4% |
| Not recorded | 618 | 24.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 545 | 21.2% |
| Local resolution | 172 | 6.7% |
| Under investigation | 165 | 6.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 97 | 3.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 90 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 38 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 30 | 1.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 3 | 0.1% |
Colne has an estimated population of 20,213. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Colne sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Colne |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.9% |
| Social rented homes | 16.9% |
| Private rented homes | 22.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 37.6% |
Is Colne a safe place to live?
Colne recorded 126.9 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 Colne?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 934 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (618).
Is crime in Colne going up or down?
Recorded crime in Colne was down 10% on the year before: 2,565 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,845 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Colne?
Colne 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 Colne. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.