Crime in Nelson (Pendle): statistics, rates and trends
3,946 crimes were recorded in Nelson (Pendle) in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Nelson (Pendle) at a glance
- Crime trends in Nelson (Pendle)
- Types of crime in Nelson (Pendle)
- Nelson (Pendle) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Nelson (Pendle)
- Streets with the most crime in Nelson (Pendle)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Nelson (Pendle)
- Population and deprivation in Nelson (Pendle)
- Questions about crime in Nelson (Pendle)
- About this data
3,946 crimes were recorded in Nelson (Pendle) in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,544 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Nelson (Pendle) has the 264th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Nelson (Pendle) | Pendle | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,946 | 9,393 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 109.7 | 94.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 35,986 | 99,777 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Nelson (Pendle) was highest in the year to July 2021 (5,476 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (3,544). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 3,946 | 109.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,269 | 118.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,797 | 105.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,544 | 98.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,266 | 118.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,476 | 152.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,534 | 126.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,441 | 123.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,606 | 128.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 330 |
| June 2026 | 311 |
| May 2026 | 377 |
| April 2026 | 341 |
| March 2026 | 322 |
| February 2026 | 230 |
| January 2026 | 284 |
| December 2025 | 305 |
| November 2025 | 325 |
| October 2025 | 369 |
| September 2025 | 371 |
| August 2025 | 381 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Nelson (Pendle) 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, other crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+62%) and other theft (+11%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-33%) and robbery (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,544 | 42.9 | 1.25 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 868 | 24.1 | 1.57 | -33% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 272 | 7.6 | 1.11 | -1% |
| Other theft | 259 | 7.2 | 1.13 | +11% |
| Shoplifting | 200 | 5.6 | 0.67 | -1% |
| Public order | 197 | 5.5 | 0.82 | +4% |
| Burglary | 141 | 3.9 | 1.11 | +11% |
| Drugs | 126 | 3.5 | 1.07 | +62% |
| Vehicle crime | 122 | 3.4 | 0.69 | -21% |
| Other crime | 115 | 3.2 | 1.51 | -9% |
| Possession of weapons | 50 | 1.4 | 1.43 | -9% |
| Robbery | 32 | 0.9 | 0.66 | -22% |
| Theft from the person | 15 | 0.4 | 0.25 | +7% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.1 | 0.17 | -62% |
Violence and sexual offences in Nelson (Pendle)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 1,544 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 39.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Nelson (Pendle)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 868 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Nelson (Pendle)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 272 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Nelson (Pendle)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 259 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 up 11% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Nelson (Pendle)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Nelson (Pendle)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 197 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Nelson (Pendle)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Nelson (Pendle)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Nelson (Pendle)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Nelson (Pendle)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Nelson (Pendle)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 50 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 down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Nelson (Pendle)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 32 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 down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Nelson (Pendle)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 15 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 up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Nelson (Pendle)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Nelson (Pendle) recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Nelson (Pendle), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Nelson (Pendle).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Nelson (Pendle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrowford | 437 | 64.1 | -42% |
| Brierfield | 1,222 | 98.0 | -11% |
| Colne | 2,565 | 126.9 | +16% |
| Burnley | 12,326 | 147.0 | +34% |
| Padiham | 1,549 | 139.7 | +27% |
| Barnoldswick | 588 | 52.7 | -52% |
| Clitheroe | 1,121 | 59.7 | -46% |
| Clayton-le-Moors | 1,153 | 115.1 | +5% |
3 areas within Nelson (Pendle), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bradley had the highest rate (120.2 per 1,000) and Marsden & Southfield the lowest (101.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley | Neighbourhood | 10,246 | 1,232 | 120.2 |
| Whitefield & Walverden | Neighbourhood | 12,628 | 1,351 | 107.0 |
| Marsden & Southfield | Neighbourhood | 9,426 | 956 | 101.4 |
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 Nelson (Pendle) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 168 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 136 |
| On or near Kendal Street | 76 |
| On or near Swinden Hall Road | 64 |
| On or near Newfield Drive | 57 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 53 |
| On or near Back Scotland Road | 47 |
| On or near Bond Street | 47 |
| On or near Carradice Close | 44 |
| On or near Roberts Street | 42 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Nelson (Pendle) 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 | 1,255 | 31.8% |
| Not recorded | 868 | 22.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 857 | 21.7% |
| Under investigation | 311 | 7.9% |
| Local resolution | 238 | 6.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 125 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 109 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 84 | 2.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 44 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 22 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 17 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 14 | 0.4% |
Nelson (Pendle) has an estimated population of 35,986. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Nelson (Pendle) sits in decile 1.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Nelson (Pendle) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 25.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 53.8% |
| Social rented homes | 15.2% |
| Private rented homes | 30.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 71.3% |
Is Nelson (Pendle) a safe place to live?
Nelson (Pendle) recorded 109.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Nelson (Pendle)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,544 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (868).
Is crime in Nelson (Pendle) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Nelson (Pendle) was down 8% on the year before: 3,946 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,269 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Nelson (Pendle)?
Nelson (Pendle) 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 Nelson (Pendle). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.