Preston crime: what are the latest statistics and which offences are on the rise?

Lancashire Constabulary recorded 13,329 offences in Preston in the 12 months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 21% compared to the previous year, when there were 10,988.

And, at 92.5 crimes per 1,000 people, that was higher than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 89.3.

Of the crimes recorded in the area over the last 12 months, 469 were sexual offences – an increase of 51% from the year before.

Meanwhile, violent crime has risen in the area, from 4,443 to 5,277 over this period.

What is causing the rise in crime across Preston?

One of the main factors behind this increase was the rise in violence with injury, which rose by 33%, from 1,218 incidents to 1,616.

And theft offences rose by 23%, with 3,890 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March.

At 27.0 crimes per 1,000 people, that was slightly higher than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 25.1.

What categories of crime are increasing in Preston?

Crimes recorded in Preston included:

469 sexual offences, a rise of 51% 5,277 violent offences, a rise of 19% 1,631 incidents of criminal damage and arson, up 28% 284 drug offences, down 12% 176 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, up 4% 1,141 public order offences, up 25% 3,890 theft offences, a rise of 23% 1,552 stalking and harassment offences, up 7%

The figures were released on the week Leyland’s police station re-opened as a 24-hour operation centre.