Crime in Lancaster: statistics, rates and trends

5,628 crimes were recorded in Lancaster in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,881 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lancaster has the 197th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Lancaster was highest in the year to July 2020 (7,209 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,628). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 Lancaster 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 anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, burglary.

The largest increases were in public order (+21%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-34%) and vehicle crime (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Lancaster

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lancaster recorded 1,881 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 33.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Lancaster

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lancaster recorded 1,330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Lancaster

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lancaster recorded 474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Lancaster

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lancaster recorded 440 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Lancaster

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lancaster recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Lancaster

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lancaster recorded 294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Lancaster

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lancaster recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Lancaster

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lancaster recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Lancaster

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lancaster recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Lancaster

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lancaster recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Lancaster

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lancaster recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Lancaster

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lancaster recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Lancaster

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lancaster recorded 45 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 up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Lancaster

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lancaster recorded 24 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 down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Lancaster, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (411.5 per 1,000) and John O'Gaunt the lowest (30.1). 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 Lancaster over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lancaster 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.

Lancaster has an estimated population of 48,222. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lancaster sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. 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 Lancaster. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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