Ceredigion Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Ceredigion recorded a crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents, 25% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure translates to a per-capita risk that is lower than the national benchmark, reflecting the area’s rural character and lower population density. The breakdown of crimes shows that violence and sexual offences accounted for 45.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.7%) and criminal damage and arson (9.5%). These patterns align with Ceredigion’s landscape, where rural isolation may contribute to higher rates of certain crimes, such as criminal damage, while the absence of dense urban centres limits opportunities for theft from the person or shoplifting. Seasonal factors also played a role: the post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail activity likely influenced the lower incidence of shoplifting and public order offences. However, the relatively high rate of violence and sexual offences—2.3 per 1,000, 8% below the UK average—suggests that localized social dynamics or community-specific challenges may be at play. While the overall crime rate remains low, the distribution across categories highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where violence and anti-social behaviour are concentrated. The seasonal context of January, with its reduced outdoor activity and colder weather, may have also dampened property crimes, though the slight increase in vehicle crime could indicate shifting patterns related to travel or storage practices. For residents, the per-capita perspective means that the likelihood of encountering crime is significantly lower than in most parts of the UK, but the types of crimes that do occur often reflect the unique social and geographical context of Ceredigion.

Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, contributing 45.2% of all reported incidents, 8% below the UK average. A notable rise in theft from the person—trippling from 1 to 3 cases—suggests heightened vulnerability in isolated areas. Vehicle crime doubled from 4 to 8 incidents, possibly linked to seasonal changes in travel patterns. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 18.2% to 9 cases, likely due to reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Anti-social behaviour, at 11.7% of total crimes, was 35% below the UK average, a trend consistent with Ceredigion’s quieter rural environment. These shifts highlight the interplay between local conditions and crime dynamics, offering insights for residents and authorities.

Ceredigion’s crime rate in January 2026 rose 3.3% from December’s 4.9 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 12 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the consistent presence of criminal activity in a rural district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 198 residents—a statistic that translates to a monthly exposure rate of roughly 0.5% of the population. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, yet the increase from December suggests localized factors may be influencing crime patterns. The population context reveals that Ceredigion’s relatively low crime rate, combined with its rural nature, means residents face a lower per-capita risk compared to urban counterparts, though the slight rise in specific categories warrants attention.