Bath Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Bath's crime rate in January 2026 reached 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 20.6% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure highlights a significant deviation from national trends, particularly in violent crime categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.9% of all reported crimes, the highest proportion among any category, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.6%) and shoplifting (12.0%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for the same categories, where violence and sexual offences averaged 2.5 per 1,000 (20% below Bath's rate) and shoplifting averaged 0.6 per 1,000 (75% below Bath's rate). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may have contributed to these patterns, though the persistence of high violence rates suggests broader social or environmental factors. The area's status as a historic tourist destination and university city likely influences crime dynamics, with retail hubs and nightlife areas potentially driving anti-social behaviour and property crimes. However, the marked divergence from UK averages in specific categories, such as shoplifting, indicates localized challenges that may require tailored interventions.

The most notable month-on-month changes in January 2026 included a 40.9% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 22 to 31 incidents, and a 50.0% increase in possession of weapons, from 2 to 3 reports. These shifts suggest unexpected spikes in specific crime types, possibly linked to seasonal or localized factors. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 incidents), and bicycle theft dropped by 50.0% (from 8 to 4), indicating a possible reduction in targeted thefts during the post-holiday period. The crime mix also showed a shift toward property-related offences: shoplifting and anti-social behaviour collectively accounted for 48.9% of all crimes, compared to 36.9% for violent crimes. This contrast with the UK average, where violent crime (2.5 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.9 per 1,000) were both lower than Bath's rates. Vehicle crime, while up in Bath, remained 19% below the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), suggesting that while local factors may have driven the increase, Bath's overall vehicle crime rate still lags behind national trends. These findings highlight a combination of seasonal patterns and localized hotspots, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or vehicle congestion.

Bath's January 2026 crime rate of 8.2 per 1,000 residents marked an 11.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.3 per 1,000, indicating a short-term decline in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 25 crimes per day, translating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 122 residents. This figure, while lower than the previous month, still places Bath significantly above the UK average, which suggests that systemic factors—rather than temporary fluctuations—may be driving the elevated rates. The population context further underscores the disparity: with 96,241 residents, Bath's crime profile reflects a concentration of incidents in specific areas, such as retail hubs and nightlife districts, which may amplify local crime rates despite national trends. The previous month's higher rate may have been influenced by holiday-related activity, but the sustained gap between Bath and the UK average highlights the need for targeted strategies to address persistent issues like violence and shoplifting. These comparisons illustrate that while Bath's crime rate has shown some short-term volatility, the underlying challenges remain distinct from broader national patterns.