Blackpool crime figures reveal violent offences are on the rise at a rate far higher than the national average

Violent crime has risen in Blackpool over the last year, despite a decrease in overall recorded crime across England and Wales.
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Lancashire Constabulary recorded 10,114 incidents of violent crime in Blackpool in the 12 months to September, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 13% compared to the previous year.

At 73.1 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far higher than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 32.3.

Lancashire Constabulary recorded 10,114 incidents of violent crime in BlackpoolLancashire Constabulary recorded 10,114 incidents of violent crime in Blackpool
Lancashire Constabulary recorded 10,114 incidents of violent crime in Blackpool
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One of the main factors behind the increase in Blackpool was the rise in stalking and harassment, which rose by 25%, from 2,610 incidents to 3,251.

Offences of violence with injury increased by 18% and violence without injury by 1%, reaching 3,197 and 3,659 respectively.

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Around 5.8 million offences were recorded across England and Wales in the year to September – a 2% rise compared to the previous year – though there was a 1% drop to 4.9 million offences when excluding cases of fraud and computer misuse.

The total number of offences in Blackpool increased by 3%, with police recording 21,754 crimes over the course of the year.

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This puts the overall crime rate at 157.2 per 1,000 people, compared to a national average of 82.4.

Other crimes recorded in Blackpool included:

- 819 sexual offences, a rise of 25%

- 4,791 theft offences, down 19%

- 2,513 incidents of criminal damage and arson, down slightly

- 614 drug offences, up 11%

- 277 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, up 23%

- 1,879 public order offences, up 6%

Police forces across England and Wales logged the highest number of rapes and sexual offences in a 12-month period in the year to September, the figures show.

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Around 63,100 rapes were recorded in the year to September, according to the Office for National Statistics, up 13% from the previous period (56,100).

This was the highest recorded annual figure to date and included 17,400 offences between July and September – the highest quarterly figure.

The ONS said the latest figures may reflect several factors, including the “impact of high-profile incidents, media coverage and campaigns on people’s willingness to report incidents to the police, as well as a potential increase in the number of victims”, and it urged caution when interpreting the data.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Nobody should have to experience the horror of rape and other sexual crimes.

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“It’s encouraging that more victims of sexual violence are coming forward, and we’ve been clear that police must raise the bar in handling such cases so victims know that they will be taken seriously and criminals responsible are put behind bars."

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