Ellesmere Port Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ellesmere Port's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 5.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, accounting for 48.1% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.5 per 1,000 that is 40% higher than the UK average. This stark contrast with the 28.5% share of property crimes (136 cases) suggests a marked shift in criminal activity, possibly influenced by January's post-holiday social landscape. The seasonal context of reduced retail footfall and shorter days may have dampened shoplifting and public order offences, though both remained above UK averages by 23% and 43% respectively. Anti-social behaviour, however, saw a 52.2% increase from 23 to 35 cases, indicating a potential rise in community tensions or unmet needs during the winter months. The data also reveals a notable deficit in vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), likely reflecting the area's built-up nature where vehicle theft is less common than in more rural or dispersed populations. This pattern is consistent with Ellesmere Port's status as a commuter town with limited open spaces, where property crimes are more frequently concentrated in retail and residential areas. The dominance of violent crime over property crime may also signal broader social challenges, though the exact drivers remain to be explored through further analysis of local demographics and community dynamics.

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 48.1% of all crimes in January 2026, significantly outpacing the UK average by 40% (3.5 vs 2.5 per 1,000). This category's dominance over property crime (which made up 28.5% of total crimes) suggests a shift in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to post-holiday social dynamics or seasonal changes in community interactions. Meanwhile, 'Other crime' saw a 150% surge from 6 to 15 cases, the largest increase in the dataset. This category's sharp rise, though not explicitly defined in the data, may reflect unclassified incidents or emerging local issues. Conversely, burglary rates plummeted by 70% (from 20 to 6 cases), influenced by January's reduced outdoor activity and post-holiday security measures. The 46% deficit in vehicle crime compared to the UK average (0.2 vs 0.4 per 1,000) could be attributed to the area's built-up nature, where car theft is less common than in more rural regions.

Ellesmere Port's crime rate in January 2026 fell by 7.7% compared to December 2025, dropping from 7.8 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical January patterns, where reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may suppress certain types of crime. On a daily basis, 15 crimes were reported across the built-up area, translating to roughly one incident for every 139 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure highlights the persistent presence of crime in the area, though the rate remains below the 7.8 per 1,000 seen previously. The population context reveals that Ellesmere Port's 66,520 residents experience a slightly higher crime rate than the UK average, but the year-on-year trend suggests local efforts may be yielding results. The drop in burglary rates by 70% from 20 to 6 cases is particularly notable, reflecting seasonal changes in property security practices or reduced outdoor activity.