Cornwall Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cornwall’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, 23.5% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure highlights the area’s overall lower crime profile compared to national trends, driven by significant reductions in property-related offences such as vehicle crime (73, 0.1 per 1,000 — 73% below UK average) and burglary (60, 0.1 per 1,000 — 64% below UK average). The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 49.4% of total incidents (1503 cases), a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 — 4% above the UK average. This contrast between violent and property crime trends reflects the area’s distinct social dynamics, where community engagement and local policing efforts may play a more pronounced role in mitigating certain types of crime. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000 (9.5% of total crimes), was 46% below the UK average, further illustrating the region’s relatively low incidence of disruptive public order issues. Seasonal factors, including reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours in January, likely contributed to the lower overall crime levels, particularly in property-related categories. However, the persistent presence of violent crime at 4% above the UK average underscores a unique challenge in maintaining public safety. This balance between low property crime and slightly elevated violent crime suggests that local initiatives targeting community cohesion and early intervention in violent incidents may be critical to sustaining the area’s current crime profile.

January saw a 26.9% increase in 'other crime' (67 to 85), the most significant rise among categories. This uptick may reflect underreported or less visible incidents, though the exact nature of these crimes remains unspecified. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), a dramatic decline likely linked to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours. Robbery also dropped by 60% (25 to 10), potentially influenced by post-holiday economic patterns and lower foot traffic in retail areas. Violent crime, at 1503 incidents, was 4% above the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour was 46% below (0.5 per 1,000). This divergence underscores Cornwall’s unique crime profile, with violent incidents slightly higher than national norms but property-related crimes significantly lower. Residents may find the sharp reduction in vehicle crime (73, 0.1 per 1,000) — 73% below the UK average — particularly reassuring, given the area’s reliance on road networks and tourism. The 19.1% increase in drug-related offences (68 to 81) adds complexity to the crime picture, suggesting potential shifts in local patterns that warrant further exploration. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas where drug-related crime is rising, while the sustained decline in property crime offers a positive indicator of the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies.

Cornwall’s crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a -1.3% decrease from December 2025’s 5.3. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity during the transition between months, despite seasonal factors like reduced daylight and post-holiday economic patterns. On a daily basis, 98 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to the UK average. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 192 residents, a ratio that highlights the lower frequency of incidents in Cornwall compared to many other regions. When scaled to the population of 583,289, the 3,040 total crimes translate to a manageable level of risk, though localised variations in crime types may still affect specific communities or areas within the district. The stability in the crime rate also aligns with the area’s seasonal patterns, where reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours during January may contribute to lower overall crime levels, particularly in property-related categories. However, the persistent presence of violent crime at 2.6 per 1,000 residents — 4% above the UK average — underscores a unique challenge in maintaining public safety despite the overall low crime environment. This contrast between violent and property crime trends reflects the area’s distinct social dynamics, where community engagement and local policing efforts may play a more pronounced role in mitigating certain types of crime.