Is Preston Safe?
Crime statistics for Preston. Based on official UK Police data, updated March 2026.
Safety Score !
Crime Zone Map
Neighbourhood boundaries coloured by safety score. Click adjacent zones to explore.
Crime by Category
Last 24 months — 1,671 total crimes recorded in Preston
Monthly Crime Trend
Month-by-month crime totals for Preston — last 24 months
Explore by Month
View detailed crime data for each month in Preston
Safest Areas Near Preston
Highest-rated neighbourhoods closest to Preston by safety score
Compare Preston With Nearby Areas
Side-by-side crime comparisons with the closest neighbourhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Preston safe?
Preston has a CrimeRadar safety score of 1/100, rated High Crime. A total of 975 crimes were recorded in the last 12 months, an increase of 40.1% compared to the previous year. Crime levels in Preston are above the UK average. Check the crime category breakdown below for more detail.
How many crimes were recorded in Preston in the last 12 months?
975 crimes were recorded in Preston in the last 12 months, spanning all reported crime categories from violent crime to vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. This represents an increase of 40.1% compared to the previous 12-month period (696 crimes). The most common category was Violent Crime, with 676 incidents.
What is the most common crime in Preston?
The most common crime in Preston is Violent Crime, with 676 incidents recorded in the last 12 months — accounting for 69.3% of all reported crimes in the area. You can view a full breakdown of all crime categories, including anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, and burglary, in the Crime by Category section on this page.
Is crime in Preston increasing or decreasing?
Crime in Preston is increasing. The year-on-year trend shows a rise of 40.1% — from 696 crimes in the previous 12 months to 975 in the most recent period. This upward trend is something residents and prospective buyers should factor into their decisions.
What is the safety score for Preston?
Preston has a safety score of 1 out of 100 (High Crime). CrimeRadar safety scores are calculated from crime volume, year-on-year trend, and crime resolution rate. A score of 85+ is Very Safe, 65–84 is Safe, 45–64 is Average, 25–44 is Below Average, and below 25 is High Crime.
How does Preston compare to the Devon & Cornwall Police average?
Preston has a safety score of 1/100, while the Devon & Cornwall Police force area average is 34/100. Preston is below the force average for safety. Use the Compare tool to see a detailed side-by-side breakdown.
What is the crime resolution rate in Preston?
34.4% of crimes recorded in Preston resulted in a formal outcome in the last 12 months. Formal outcomes include charges brought, cautions issued, fixed penalty notices, or other official resolutions recorded by Devon & Cornwall Police. The national average outcome rate in England and Wales is typically 5–15% across most crime types. A higher rate suggests more effective local enforcement.
How much violent crime is there in Preston?
676 violent crimes were recorded in Preston in the last 12 months — representing 69.3% of all reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour accounted for a further 241 incidents. Violent crime encompasses assault, robbery, and related offences as classified by the UK Home Office. Data is sourced from official police reports submitted to data.police.uk.
When was the crime data for Preston last updated?
The crime data for Preston was last updated in March 2026. CrimeRadar sources all crime data directly from the official UK Police Data API, operated by the Home Office and published at data.police.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Data is refreshed monthly and covers the most recent 36-month period. New monthly data is typically published with a 2-month lag.
How can I compare Preston with other areas?
You can compare Preston with any other UK neighbourhood or city using the CrimeRadar Compare tool. It shows side-by-side safety scores, crime volumes by category, year-on-year trends, and crime resolution rates. The Compare tool covers all 44 police force areas across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with more than 4,000 built neighbourhoods available.