Broomfield Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Broomfield's crime rate in January 2026 remained exactly in line with the UK average at 6.8 per 1,000 residents, a figure that reflects both the area's urban character and the seasonal dynamics of the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.5% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category, while criminal damage and arson followed at 23.1%. These patterns are consistent with the built-up nature of Broomfield, where property-related crimes often dominate during months with reduced retail footfall. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, colder weather, and post-Christmas economic activity—likely contributed to the observed distribution of crime types. While violent crime remained slightly above the UK average, the area's performance in categories like anti-social behaviour (78% below the UK average) suggests that localised efforts to manage community tensions may be effective. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly in January, with property crimes making up 53.8% of the total compared to 38.5% in December. This shift may be attributed to the reduced outdoor activity typical of January, which can lead to more indoor-focused criminal activity. The data also highlights the importance of contextual factors: for instance, the high rate of vehicle crime (1.1 per 1,000) could be influenced by the area's commuter demographics, while the low rate of bicycle theft may reflect seasonal inactivity in cycling. These findings underscore the need for tailored policing strategies that account for both local and national trends.

Vehicle crime saw a dramatic 500% increase in January 2026, rising from one reported incident to six. This sharp rise, while not uncommon during colder months, aligns with seasonal patterns where vehicle-related offences often spike due to increased use of vehicles for heating and travel. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 50% compared to December, a decline that may reflect reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. The area's violent crime rate (2.6 per 1,000) was 4% above the UK average, a figure that, while modest, highlights localised challenges in managing public safety. Criminal damage and arson also rose sharply, increasing by 350% to nine incidents—a rate 233% above the UK average. This anomaly may be linked to post-holiday property neglect or increased enforcement efforts capturing previously unreported cases. Anti-social behaviour fell by 78% compared to the UK average, suggesting that community-focused initiatives may be having a measurable impact in certain areas.

Broomfield's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 11.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 6.1 to 6.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects shifts in crime patterns during the post-holiday period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day in January, a figure that, while low, underscores the persistence of localised issues. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 146 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 5,707. This monthly exposure rate is consistent with the area's urban character and the seasonal context of reduced outdoor activity. The comparison to the UK average is not applicable here, as the daily and monthly exposure figures are unique to Broomfield. However, the rise in certain crime types—particularly vehicle crime and criminal damage—suggests that local factors, such as colder weather or post-holiday economic pressures, may have influenced reporting trends.