Crime in Skelmersdale: statistics, rates and trends

3,420 crimes were recorded in Skelmersdale in the 12 months to July 2026, 96.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 1,355 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Skelmersdale has the 391st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Skelmersdale was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,980 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,420). 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Skelmersdale 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 criminal damage and arson, other crime, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in robbery (+77%) and possession of weapons (+22%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-41%) and anti-social behaviour (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Skelmersdale

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Skelmersdale recorded 1,355 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 39.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Skelmersdale

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Skelmersdale recorded 659 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 19.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Skelmersdale

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Skelmersdale recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Skelmersdale

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Skelmersdale recorded 206 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 10% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Skelmersdale

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Skelmersdale recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Skelmersdale

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Skelmersdale recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Skelmersdale

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Skelmersdale recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Skelmersdale

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Skelmersdale recorded 110 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 9% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Skelmersdale

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Skelmersdale recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Skelmersdale

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Skelmersdale recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Skelmersdale

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Skelmersdale recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Skelmersdale

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Skelmersdale recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 77% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Skelmersdale

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Skelmersdale recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Skelmersdale

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Skelmersdale recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Skelmersdale, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Tanhouse & Skelmersdale Town Centre had the highest rate (116.4 per 1,000) and Skelmersdale North the lowest (63.6). 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 Skelmersdale over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Skelmersdale 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.

Skelmersdale has an estimated population of 35,304. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Skelmersdale sits in decile 3.2, more deprived than average. 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 Skelmersdale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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