Bracknell Forest Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In Bracknell Forest, the per-capita risk of experiencing a crime in January 2026 was 1 in 199 residents, reflecting the area's overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 people. This figure, while 14.3% higher than December 2025's rate of 4.4, remains 26.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. The crime profile highlights a mix of local and national trends: violence and sexual offences (254 cases) account for 38.6% of total crimes, followed by shoplifting (10.5%) and anti-social behaviour (10.2%). Seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period and reduced retail footfall, likely contribute to the lower incidence of outdoor crimes typically associated with busier months. However, the dominance of violent offences suggests a need for targeted interventions in this category. Bracknell Forest's performance against the UK average is most pronounced in categories like burglary (64% below), anti-social behaviour (46% below), and bicycle theft (100% below), indicating strong local efforts in these areas. The relatively low rate of property crimes compared to violent crimes may be influenced by the area's character—a commuter-oriented district with a mix of residential and commercial zones—where public safety initiatives could play a role in mitigating violent incidents.

January 2026 saw a sharp 178.6% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 14 to 39 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 91.7% rise in shoplifting (36 to 69 cases), indicates potential shifts in local crime dynamics. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50%, with reported cases dropping from 4 to 2, a change that may reflect seasonal factors or improved security measures. The breakdown of crime types reveals Bracknell Forest's performance against UK averages: anti-social behaviour (46% below UK), burglary (64% below UK), and bicycle theft (100% below UK) all show significant underperformance relative to the national rate. However, violent crimes remain 24% below the UK average, with 1.9 per 1,000 residents. These variations suggest that while certain categories are experiencing growth, the area's overall safety profile continues to diverge from national trends, particularly in low-risk categories like burglary and anti-social behaviour.

Bracknell Forest's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 14.3% compared to December 2025, moving from 4.4 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, remains 26.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day in January, a figure that translates to roughly 1 reported crime for every 199 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure highlights the relatively low risk profile of Bracknell Forest compared to national benchmarks, though the upward trend suggests local factors—such as seasonal shifts or community dynamics—may be influencing crime patterns. The population context further reinforces that the area's crime rates, even at their current level, are significantly lower than the UK average for categories like anti-social behaviour and burglary, which are 46% and 64% below the national figures respectively.