Finningley Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected development in Finningley’s January 2026 crime data was the 200% surge in criminal damage and arson, which rose from one to three incidents—a stark departure from the overall downward trend observed in most categories. This anomaly, while not indicative of a broader increase in criminal activity, raises questions about potential localized factors, such as unseasonal weather patterns or specific incidents that may have gone unreported. The area’s overall crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents—63.2% below the UK average—reflects a generally low-risk environment, though the spike in criminal damage and arson underscores the need for vigilance in addressing niche vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, with five incidents reported, though this figure was 68% below the UK average. The post-holiday period likely contributed to the decline in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, as reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours curtailed opportunities for such crimes. However, the emergence of burglary, public order offences, and theft from the person, each recorded once, suggests that even low-crime areas can experience sporadic spikes in specific categories. These patterns align with the seasonal context of January, a time typically marked by reduced outdoor activity and lower footfall in public spaces, though the unexpected rise in criminal damage and arson indicates that further analysis of local factors may be necessary to fully understand the month’s dynamics.

The most striking development in January 2026 was the 200% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from one to three incidents—a sharp contrast to the overall downward trend in most categories. This surge, though modest in absolute terms, highlights localized vulnerabilities that may be influenced by seasonal factors or specific events. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 66.7%, from three to one incident, likely reflecting the post-holiday lull in retail activity and reduced footfall in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, dropped by 54.5% compared to December, remaining 68% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 60%, from five to two, though burglary, public order offences, and theft from the person each rose by 100% from zero to one incident, marking their first recorded occurrences in the month. Theft from the person, though rare, was 67% above the UK average, suggesting potential localized risks that may require targeted interventions.

Finningley’s January 2026 crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents represents a 28.4% decrease from December 2025’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000, a trend consistent with the post-holiday period’s typical reduction in retail activity and public footfall. Over the 31-day month, the area recorded approximately 0 crimes per day, highlighting an exceptionally low level of persistent criminal activity. When scaled to the population of 6,083, this translates to one reported crime for every 406 residents over the course of the month. This figure, while a local aggregate, underscores Finningley’s status as an area with significantly lower exposure to crime compared to the UK average. The population context further illustrates that even small shifts in crime patterns can influence individual risk perception, though the overall trend remains stable and well below the national benchmark. This low monthly exposure suggests that residents are unlikely to encounter crime in their daily lives, though localized spikes in specific categories, such as criminal damage and arson, warrant closer attention.