City · Lancashire
Crime in Preston
How much crime is recorded in Preston, what kind, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
- Council
- Preston
- Region
- North West
- Population
- 103,700 (2024)
PrestonCity · Lancashire
How safe is Preston
Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 47.5 offences per 1,000 people a year in Preston, well above the 31.1 average across England and Wales. That puts it in band 8 of 10 against all neighbourhoods.
Higher-harm crime band
8/ 10
Lowest crimeHighest crime
Higher than most neighbourhoods in England and Wales.
Higher-harm
47.5
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 31.1
All crime
110
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 67
What crime is recorded
Recorded offences per 1,000 people a year (counting both residents and people who work locally, or per 1,000 households for burglary).
PrestonNational
Violence and sexual offences37.323.6
Anti-social behaviour24.610.7
Burglary11.49.1
Shoplifting9.68.4
Criminal damage and arson8.64.7
Public order6.44.6
Other theft6.24.5
Vehicle crime4.53.5
Drugs4.02.4
Other crime2.61.5
Bicycle theft1.71.0
Possession of weapons1.60.9
Robbery1.61.4
Theft from the person1.02.1
Higher-harm crime over time
It has fallen 20% since 2022.
Higher-harm crimes per 1,000
0
20
40
60
2022202320242025
Source: data.police.uk street-level crime, resolved to neighbourhoods. Rates cover September 2025 to August 2026, the latest twelve months published.