Hadleigh Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 10,112 residents, Hadleigh recorded 41 crimes in January 2026, equating to a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is 39.7% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, positioning the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the country. The crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 51.2% of all reports, followed by public order offences (12.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.8%). These patterns suggest a focus on interpersonal conflicts and minor disorder, rather than property crime, which typically constitutes a larger share in more densely populated areas. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday lulls, reduced retail activity, and shorter daylight hours—may contribute to the lower levels of shoplifting and vehicle crime compared to other months. However, the higher proportion of violent crime compared to the UK average (which reports 2.5 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences) indicates a need for targeted interventions. The built-up nature of Hadleigh, within the Babergh district, likely influences these trends, with community dynamics and local policing efforts playing a role in maintaining lower rates. While the overall stability in crime suggests no immediate spikes, the concentration of violent incidents raises questions about underlying social factors. The relatively low levels of property crime, particularly burglary and vehicle theft, could be attributed to the area's smaller scale and stronger community cohesion. These observations align with broader patterns seen in similar-sized urban centres, where community policing and local initiatives often help mitigate crime without requiring large-scale resources.

January 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Shoplifting increased by 200% compared to the previous month, rising from one to three incidents. This surge may be linked to post-holiday retail activity, though the area's overall retail presence remains modest. Public order offences also rose sharply, a 150% increase from two to five reports, potentially reflecting the impact of shorter winter days on community interactions. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 60%, from five to two incidents, which could indicate improved community engagement or seasonal factors reducing public gatherings. Burglary, though still low, doubled from zero to two reports, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Violent crimes remained 16% below the UK average, despite comprising 51.2% of all reported incidents in Hadleigh. This mix of rising and falling categories illustrates the complexity of local crime trends, with some patterns aligning with national averages and others diverging significantly.

Hadleigh's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no major shifts in local crime patterns during the period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day, reflecting a low but steady level of activity. When scaled to the population, this translates to one crime for every 247 residents over the course of the month—a figure that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting Hadleigh's position as a significantly safer area. While the monthly exposure figure is a useful metric for residents, it should be interpreted alongside local context, such as the built-up nature of the area and its proximity to Babergh's broader administrative framework. This comparison reinforces that Hadleigh's crime profile is shaped by factors distinct from national trends, including its smaller population and community dynamics.