Crime in Preston (Preston): statistics, rates and trends
15,987 crimes were recorded in Preston (Preston) in the 12 months to July 2026, 161.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Preston (Preston) at a glance
- Crime trends in Preston (Preston)
- Types of crime in Preston (Preston)
- Preston (Preston) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Preston (Preston)
- Streets with the most crime in Preston (Preston)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Preston (Preston)
- Population and deprivation in Preston (Preston)
- Questions about crime in Preston (Preston)
- About this data
15,987 crimes were recorded in Preston (Preston) in the 12 months to July 2026, 161.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,366 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Preston (Preston) has the 38th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Preston (Preston) | Preston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 15,987 | 20,865 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 161.4 | 128.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -9% | -1% |
| Population | 99,076 | 162,864 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Preston (Preston) was highest in the year to July 2018 (21,776 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (15,987). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 | 15,987 | 161.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 17,584 | 177.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 17,737 | 179.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 18,948 | 191.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 20,916 | 211.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 21,489 | 216.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 20,813 | 210.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 21,008 | 212.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 21,776 | 219.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,356 |
| June 2026 | 1,335 |
| May 2026 | 1,340 |
| April 2026 | 1,237 |
| March 2026 | 1,335 |
| February 2026 | 1,135 |
| January 2026 | 1,236 |
| December 2025 | 1,331 |
| November 2025 | 1,283 |
| October 2025 | 1,476 |
| September 2025 | 1,439 |
| August 2025 | 1,484 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Preston (Preston) 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 (+21%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-32%) and burglary (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 5,366 | 54.2 | 1.58 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 3,707 | 37.4 | 2.44 | -32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,218 | 12.3 | 1.81 | +4% |
| Shoplifting | 1,146 | 11.6 | 1.40 | -8% |
| Public order | 942 | 9.5 | 1.43 | +7% |
| Other theft | 898 | 9.1 | 1.42 | +1% |
| Vehicle crime | 660 | 6.7 | 1.35 | -5% |
| Drugs | 585 | 5.9 | 1.81 | +21% |
| Burglary | 430 | 4.3 | 1.23 | -19% |
| Other crime | 377 | 3.8 | 1.80 | +3% |
| Possession of weapons | 217 | 2.2 | 2.26 | +1% |
| Robbery | 189 | 1.9 | 1.41 | -7% |
| Bicycle theft | 161 | 1.6 | 1.97 | -14% |
| Theft from the person | 91 | 0.9 | 0.54 | +10% |
Violence and sexual offences in Preston (Preston)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Preston (Preston) recorded 5,366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 33.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Preston (Preston)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Preston (Preston) recorded 3,707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 23.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Preston (Preston)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Preston (Preston) recorded 1,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Preston (Preston)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Preston (Preston) recorded 1,146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Preston (Preston)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Preston (Preston) recorded 942 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Preston (Preston)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Preston (Preston) recorded 898 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Preston (Preston)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Preston (Preston) recorded 660 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Preston (Preston)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Preston (Preston) recorded 585 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Preston (Preston)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Preston (Preston) recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Preston (Preston)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Preston (Preston) recorded 377 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Preston (Preston)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Preston (Preston) recorded 217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Preston (Preston)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Preston (Preston) recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Preston (Preston)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Preston (Preston) recorded 161 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 14% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Preston (Preston)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Preston (Preston) recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Preston (Preston), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Preston (Preston).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Preston (Preston) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulwood | 2,679 | 77.9 | -52% |
| Penwortham | 1,161 | 64.5 | -60% |
| Cottam (Preston) | 528 | 54.6 | -66% |
| Bamber Bridge | 3,834 | 92.1 | -43% |
| Longton | 363 | 31.7 | -80% |
| Leyland | 3,760 | 92.3 | -43% |
| Longridge (Ribble Valley) | 630 | 66.4 | -59% |
| Euxton | 869 | 51.8 | -68% |
9 areas within Preston (Preston), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. City Centre had the highest rate (403.0 per 1,000) and Lea & Larches the lowest (93.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Centre | Neighbourhood | 12,936 | 5,213 | 403.0 |
| St Matthew's | Neighbourhood | 12,333 | 2,149 | 174.2 |
| Plungington | Neighbourhood | 12,115 | 1,721 | 142.1 |
| Ashton | Neighbourhood | 10,228 | 1,394 | 136.3 |
| Ribbleton | Neighbourhood | 8,583 | 1,144 | 133.3 |
| Brookfield | Neighbourhood | 9,800 | 1,287 | 131.3 |
| Deepdale | Neighbourhood | 10,440 | 1,362 | 130.5 |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | Neighbourhood | 9,896 | 1,174 | 118.6 |
| Lea & Larches | Neighbourhood | 8,336 | 776 | 93.1 |
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 Preston (Preston) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 784 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 488 |
| On or near Supermarket | 430 |
| On or near Parking Area | 417 |
| On or near Market Street | 229 |
| On or near Grafton Road | 166 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 119 |
| On or near Butler Street | 112 |
| On or near Cheapside | 112 |
| On or near Singleton Row | 110 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Preston (Preston) 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 | 4,184 | 26.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,752 | 23.5% |
| Not recorded | 3,707 | 23.2% |
| Under investigation | 1,290 | 8.1% |
| Local resolution | 777 | 4.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 735 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 570 | 3.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 481 | 3.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 266 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 87 | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 60 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 47 | 0.3% |
Preston (Preston) has an estimated population of 99,076. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Preston (Preston) sits in decile 2.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Preston (Preston) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 48.9% |
| Social rented homes | 22.7% |
| Private rented homes | 28.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 27.7% |
Is Preston (Preston) a safe place to live?
Preston (Preston) recorded 161.4 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 Preston (Preston)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 5,366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (3,707).
Is crime in Preston (Preston) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Preston (Preston) was down 9% on the year before: 15,987 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 17,584 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Preston (Preston)?
Preston (Preston) 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 Preston (Preston). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.