Crap TownsBritain's towns, rated by the people stuck in them

Crap Towns / Burnley / Crime

How much crime is there in Burnley?

The police recorded 117 crimes per 1,000 people a year in Burnley from September 2023 to August 2026, 1.5 times the typical town's 76.2. The most common was violence and sexual offences, at 49.8. In the 12 months to August 2026 it was 124, up from 114 in the 12 months to August 2024.

Over time
PeriodHereTypical town
September 2023 to August 202411478.6
September 2024 to August 202511177.4
September 2025 to August 202612473.7
By type
CrimeHereTypical town
Violence and sexual offences49.834.1
Shoplifting13.57.1
Criminal damage and arson12.07.0
Other theft8.45.4
Public order7.66.6
Burglary7.43.1
Vehicle crime6.73.8
Other crime3.52.0
Drugs3.42.4
Possession of weapons1.40.8
Robbery1.40.6
Bicycle theft0.80.5
Theft from the person0.60.4
Nearby towns
TownDistanceCrimes per 1,000 people a year
Accrington9.7 km121
Church11.1 km117
Burnley–117
Padiham5.1 km108
Colne8.3 km100
Bacup11.0 km97.5
Clayton-le-Moors9.9 km85.7
Nelson5.1 km85.3
Brierfield3.4 km73.2
Rawtenstall10.3 km70.6
Barrowford6.7 km50.2
The typical town–76.2