Buckinghamshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Buckinghamshire's overall crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 27.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure reflects a persistent trend of lower-than-average crime levels across the district, though the data reveals troubling shifts in specific categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.2% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category, followed by shoplifting (8.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.0%). These figures align with the area's seasonal patterns: January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail activity and shorter days, may partly explain the lower levels of outdoor crimes typically associated with warmer months. However, the dominance of violent offences raises questions about local dynamics. While the district's overall safety remains comparatively strong, the concentration of violent crime suggests areas requiring targeted attention, particularly in spaces where interpersonal conflicts may escalate during colder, darker evenings. The relatively low rates of property crime—particularly burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000)—contrast with the UK averages, indicating that Buckinghamshire's urban and rural environments may have unique factors suppressing certain types of crime, such as robust community policing or lower population density. These patterns warrant further analysis, but the data underscores the need for vigilance around violent incidents, which remain a significant concern for residents.

January 2026 saw notable increases in several crime categories, with Other crime rising by 53.3% (from 60 to 92 incidents) compared to December. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, represents a sharp upward trend that residents should monitor closely. Bicycle theft also increased by 50% (from 10 to 15 incidents), a rise that may be linked to the start of the new year and the return of commuters or students to the area. Concurrently, drug-related offences surged by 46.2% (from 117 to 171), a jump that could reflect changes in enforcement patterns or shifts in local drug markets. These increases contrast with declines in other areas: theft from the person fell by 38.1% (from 21 to 13 incidents), due to seasonal factors or improved security measures. Burglary rates also dropped by 21.0% (from 124 to 98 incidents), though this remains well below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. The most striking UK comparison is for anti-social behaviour, which was 57% below the national average (0.4 vs 0.9 per 1,000). This suggests that while violent and drug-related crimes are rising, broader patterns of disorder remain subdued in Buckinghamshire. Residents should be particularly alert to the sharp increase in Other crime, which may include unclassified incidents that could signal emerging issues requiring local authority attention.

Buckinghamshire's crime rate in January 2026 was 4.9 per 1,000 residents, a 5.9% increase from December's rate of 4.6 per 1,000. This monthly rise, though modest, translates to 91 crimes reported each day on average—a figure that, while lower than many urban centres, underscores the ongoing presence of crime in the district. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 205 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Buckinghamshire in the lower tier of UK local authorities. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents: it means that, on average, every individual in the district is likely to encounter a crime in their community within a year. The population context further highlights the significance of the 27.9% gap between Buckinghamshire's rate and the UK average. With a population of 578,772, the district's 2820 total crimes represent a density of crime that is lower than the national average. However, the month-on-month increase suggests that local factors—such as post-holiday economic pressures or changes in police resource allocation—may be influencing current trends. While the district's overall safety profile remains strong, the rise in certain categories, particularly Other crime and drug-related offences, indicates areas where further scrutiny may be warranted to ensure that this lower-than-average rate continues to hold.