Retford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Retford’s crime profile in January 2026 reveals a combination of local dynamics and national trends, with violence and sexual offences emerging as a significant outlier. The area’s overall crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents, just 1.5% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, masks a stark divergence in specific categories. Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.3% of all crimes, surged to 3.1 per 1,000 residents—24% above the UK average. This category’s prominence, despite the relatively modest overall rate, suggests a unique challenge for Retford, a built-up area within Bassetlaw that balances residential and commercial functions. The town’s role as a regional hub for retail, healthcare, and education likely contributes to the concentration of certain crimes, such as shoplifting and vehicle-related incidents, which are high compared to the UK average. Seasonal factors, including the post-holiday lull in retail activity and reduced daylight hours, may have amplified these trends. Meanwhile, shoplifting remains the second most common crime, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000—23% above the UK average—highlighting the impact of foot traffic in commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour. month-on-month, remains a concern, with its rate still 25% below the UK average. This contrast underscores the variability in local crime patterns, influenced by both geographic and socioeconomic factors. Retford’s built-up character, with its mix of residential areas, industrial zones, and transport links, likely shapes the distribution of crimes, particularly those tied to mobility and economic activity. The data also reveals a notable anomaly in other crime categories, such as ‘other crime,’ which spiked to 0.4 per 1,000—150% above the UK average, though the nature of these incidents remains unspecified. These findings call for a nuanced understanding of Retford’s crime profile, balancing the need for targeted interventions with the recognition of broader national trends.

January 2026 saw dramatic shifts in crime types, with vehicle crime and drugs-related offences both increasing by over 600% compared to the previous month. This surge, from one to nine incidents for vehicle crime and one to seven for drugs, reflects a sharp change in local patterns. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and public order offences both decreased—by 33.3% and 44.4% respectively—though these declines may be temporary. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 44.3% of all crimes, significantly higher than the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This disparity highlights a local challenge, as Retford’s rate for this category is 24% above the national figure. Residents may find the 100% increase in bicycle theft noteworthy, though the single incident reported remains a minor anomaly in an otherwise stable category. The surge in vehicle crime may be linked to increased car ownership or changes in parking patterns, while the rise in drugs-related offences could indicate shifts in local drug markets or law enforcement activity. These trends underscore the need for targeted interventions in specific areas of Retford, particularly those with higher concentrations of commercial activity or transportation hubs. The significant decline in anti-social behaviour, though temporary, may suggest a seasonal reduction in incidents or improved community engagement efforts, though further data would be needed to confirm this.

Retford’s crime rate in January 2026 rose to 6.9 per 1,000 residents, an 8.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 6.4. This places the area slightly above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, approximately five crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that reflects local patterns rather than national averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 145 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents for residents. While this rate is comparable to other built-up areas in the region, the shift in crime types—particularly the spike in violent offences—suggests a distinct local dynamic. The population context further highlights that, despite the rise, Retford’s rate remains within a range typical for areas of its size and geographic character, though the balance of crime types warrants closer examination. The built-up nature of Retford, with its mix of residential and commercial zones, likely contributes to the concentration of certain crime types, such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, which are more common in areas with higher foot traffic and parking demand. Seasonal factors, such as reduced retail activity post-holiday and shorter daylight hours, may also influence patterns, though these effects are not always consistent across similar areas. The town’s proximity to transport hubs and its role as a retail and service centre could further explain the concentration of vehicle-related crimes, as these areas often see higher volumes of transient populations and commercial activity.