Ely Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 25,642, Ely recorded 134 crimes in January 2026, equating to 5.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. This rate is 23.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, placing Ely among the safer built-up areas in the country. Violence and sexual offences (47 cases) accounted for 35.1% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (24 cases) and shoplifting (22 cases). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter daylight hours and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate compared to summer months. However, the spike in shoplifting (0.9 per 1,000, 58% above the UK average) may reflect the town's historic retail hubs, where high foot traffic persists despite seasonal lulls. Ely's lower vehicle crime rate (0.2 per 1,000, 46% below the UK average) could be attributed to its compact layout and limited commuter traffic, whereas the 28% reduction in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average may be linked to the area's strong community networks and low-density urban structure. These patterns illustrate how local geography and social dynamics interact with broader national trends.

January saw a 100% rise in drugs-related crimes, with three incidents reported compared to zero in December. This jump, coupled with a 100% increase in 'other crime' and theft from the person, indicates emerging patterns that warrant local scrutiny. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped 66.7% from 3 to 1, likely linked to seasonal factors such as reduced cycling during colder weather. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (35.1% of total crimes), though Ely's rate of 1.8 per 1,000 is 28% below the UK average. Shoplifting, however, stood out as 58% above the UK average at 0.9 per 1,000, potentially reflecting retail activity in Ely's historic high streets. These shifts highlight the need for targeted interventions in specific crime categories.

Ely's crime rate in January 2026 rose 9.0% from the previous month, climbing to 5.2 per 1,000 residents from 4.8 per 1,000. This translates to roughly four reported crimes per day across the built-up area's 25,642 residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 191 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the community. Compared to the UK average, Ely remains significantly safer, but the shift from December's rate suggests seasonal or situational factors may have influenced January's figures. The population-scaled perspective shows that while the overall rate is low, the 1-in-191 ratio highlights the need for continued vigilance in specific areas. This monthly exposure figure, though not directly comparable to UK-wide metrics, offers a local lens on crime frequency.