Wilmslow Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 25,486 residents, 82 crimes in January 2026 equate to 0.32% of the population reporting an incident—an exceptionally low figure by UK standards. At 3.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, Wilmslow’s rate is 52.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment than most areas. The breakdown shows violence and sexual offences (30 cases) accounted for 36.6% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (11 cases, 13.4%) and public order incidents (10 cases, 12.2%). This mix suggests a pattern where interpersonal conflicts and minor disorder dominate over property crimes, which may align with Wilmslow’s character as a commuter town with a strong retail presence but limited nightlife. Seasonal context reinforces this: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall likely contributed to lower outdoor crime rates compared to busier months. However, the persistence of violent crime—despite being 52% below the UK average—raises questions about local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies. The data also highlights a notable gap in drug-related crimes, which were 29% below the UK average, possibly indicating effective local interventions or demographic factors that limit drug use in the area.

January 2026 saw a sharp 100% increase in robbery cases, with one incident reported after none in December, a spike that stands out against otherwise declining trends. Vehicle crime fell by 60% (from 5 to 2), and other crime dropped 50% (from 6 to 3), suggesting targeted efforts or seasonal shifts may have curbed these categories. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common crime type, remained 52% below the UK average, illustrating a stark contrast to national trends. Shoplifting, at 13.4% of total crimes, was 30% below the UK average, consistent with Wilmslow’s retail-focused economy where shoplifting might be more easily deterred through surveillance or community engagement. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour was 78% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect strong local community policing or a demographic profile less prone to such incidents. These patterns highlight a combination of local initiatives and broader regional trends, though the exact drivers remain unclear without further analysis.

Wilmslow’s crime rate in January 2026 (3.2 per 1,000) marked a 32.8% decline from December’s rate of 4.8 per 1,000, a drop that translates to roughly 3 crimes reported per day over the month. When scaled to the population, this means one crime occurred for every 311 residents—a ratio that underscores the area’s relative safety compared to UK averages. This monthly exposure figure, while low, may be contextualised by Wilmslow’s status as a commuter town with limited nightlife and fewer transient populations, both of which can reduce opportunities for crime. The daily crime count, though seemingly high in absolute terms, is proportionally modest given the area’s population size. For residents, this means a 1-in-311 chance of experiencing a crime in the month, a statistic that may feel more tangible when compared to the UK’s average of 6.8 per 1,000, which would equate to a 1-in-148 chance. Such comparisons reinforce Wilmslow’s position as an outlier in terms of safety, though the reasons for this may involve a combination of local policing, socioeconomic factors, and the town’s geographic and demographic profile.