Cirencester Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cirencester’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 8.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure 25% higher than the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This elevated rate reflects the town’s character as a historic market centre within the Cotswold region, where the mix of tourism, retail, and residential areas may contribute to specific crime patterns. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 27.3% of all incidents, followed by shoplifting (20.0%) and anti-social behaviour (18.7%). These figures align with the area’s seasonal context, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may influence both victim behaviour and offender opportunities. The high shoplifting rate—1.7 per 1,000 residents—far exceeds the UK average by 198%, a disparity likely linked to Cirencester’s historic high street and its appeal to tourists and shoppers. Conversely, the town’s burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) is 29% below the UK average, due to its compact, built-up nature and the presence of community-focused policing initiatives. Anti-social behaviour, which surged 72% above the UK average, may be exacerbated by the town’s smaller population density and the potential for concentrated social interactions during colder months. These trends highlight the interplay between local geography, seasonality, and crime dynamics in a Cotswold market town.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in January 2026 was the 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from one to two incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in criminal activity patterns during the post-holiday period. Concurrently, burglary also surged by 100%, doubling from two to four incidents, a change that may reflect seasonal factors such as increased home occupancy or targeted vulnerabilities in the built-up area. In contrast, shoplifting fell by 46.4%, from 56 to 30 incidents—a significant drop that could be attributed to reduced retail footfall in January, a month marked by shorter days and post-Christmas lulls. The town’s shoplifting rate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents is 198% above the UK average, underscoring the influence of Cirencester’s retail presence, particularly in its historic town centre. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, with a 72% increase above the UK average, suggesting that community dynamics in the area may contribute to such incidents during colder months. These shifts illustrate how local conditions, from seasonal rhythms to the built environment, shape crime trends in a Cotswold market town.

Cirencester's crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 15.3% compared to December 2025, declining from 10.0 to 8.5 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with seasonal patterns typical of the area, where post-holiday periods often see lower retail footfall and reduced outdoor activity. On a daily basis, the town experienced an average of five crimes per day during January, a figure that reflects both the population size and the local context of a built-up area within the Cotswold region. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 118 residents, a measure that contextualises the frequency of incidents relative to the town's population of 17,646. While this monthly exposure rate is a useful benchmark, it does not capture the full picture of individual risk, as crime distribution across the area may vary. The decline in vehicle crime by 76.9% compared to the previous month suggests a possible seasonal effect, with fewer vehicles on local roads during the colder, darker January evenings. This shift may also be influenced by the area’s character as a historic market town, where traffic patterns are less dense than in larger urban centres.