Crime in Whitworth: statistics, rates and trends
629 crimes were recorded in Whitworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Whitworth at a glance
- Crime trends in Whitworth
- Types of crime in Whitworth
- Whitworth compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Whitworth
- Streets with the most crime in Whitworth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Whitworth
- Population and deprivation in Whitworth
- Questions about crime in Whitworth
- About this data
629 crimes were recorded in Whitworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 243 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Whitworth has the 361st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Whitworth | Rossendale | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 629 | 6,452 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 99.5 | 88.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -8% | -1% |
| Population | 6,319 | 73,045 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Whitworth was highest in the year to July 2020 (768 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (512). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 | 629 | 99.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 667 | 105.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 665 | 105.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 550 | 87.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 512 | 81.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 649 | 102.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 768 | 121.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 518 | 82.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 524 | 82.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 70 |
| June 2026 | 53 |
| May 2026 | 56 |
| April 2026 | 37 |
| March 2026 | 45 |
| February 2026 | 58 |
| January 2026 | 65 |
| December 2025 | 48 |
| November 2025 | 39 |
| October 2025 | 48 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
| August 2025 | 58 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Whitworth 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, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+30%) and public order (+15%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-61%) and anti-social behaviour (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 243 | 38.5 | 1.12 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 182 | 28.8 | 1.88 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 52 | 8.2 | 1.21 | +30% |
| Other theft | 34 | 5.4 | 0.84 | +127% |
| Public order | 31 | 4.9 | 0.74 | +15% |
| Vehicle crime | 26 | 4.1 | 0.84 | -10% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.7 | 0.76 | -11% |
| Drugs | 12 | 1.9 | 0.58 | +33% |
| Shoplifting | 11 | 1.7 | 0.21 | -61% |
| Other crime | 9 | 1.4 | 0.67 | -36% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 1.3 | 1.30 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.38 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 0.23 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Whitworth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitworth recorded 243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Whitworth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitworth recorded 182 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 28.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Whitworth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitworth recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Whitworth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitworth recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 127% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Whitworth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitworth recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Whitworth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitworth recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Whitworth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitworth recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Whitworth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitworth recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Whitworth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitworth recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 61% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Whitworth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitworth recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Whitworth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitworth recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Whitworth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitworth recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Whitworth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitworth recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Whitworth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Whitworth.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Whitworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacup | 1,735 | 116.6 | +17% |
| Todmorden | 1,360 | 99.5 | +0% |
| Rawtenstall | 1,658 | 80.0 | -20% |
| Haslingden | 1,231 | 73.5 | -26% |
| Ripponden | 296 | 53.6 | -46% |
| Mytholmroyd | 366 | 72.8 | -27% |
| Burnley | 12,326 | 147.0 | +48% |
| Accrington | 5,517 | 150.8 | +52% |
1 areas within Whitworth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Whitworth had the highest rate (85.8 per 1,000) and Whitworth the lowest (85.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth | Neighbourhood | 8,084 | 694 | 85.8 |
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 Whitworth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Ivy Bank | 43 |
| On or near Station Road | 40 |
| On or near Thorburn Drive | 30 |
| On or near John Henry Street | 21 |
| On or near King Street | 21 |
| On or near Grange Road | 17 |
| On or near Parking Area | 17 |
| On or near Prickshaw Lane | 16 |
| On or near Tong End | 16 |
| On or near Edgemoor Close | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitworth 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 | 218 | 34.7% |
| Not recorded | 182 | 28.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 108 | 17.2% |
| Under investigation | 41 | 6.5% |
| Local resolution | 31 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 1.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Whitworth has an estimated population of 6,319. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitworth sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Whitworth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.3% |
| Social rented homes | 17.2% |
| Private rented homes | 18.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
Is Whitworth a safe place to live?
Whitworth recorded 99.5 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 Whitworth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (182).
Is crime in Whitworth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Whitworth was down 6% on the year before: 629 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 667 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Whitworth?
Whitworth 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 Whitworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.