Axminster Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Axminster's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8. This marked improvement underscores the area's continued performance relative to national benchmarks, despite a 35.2% increase in the monthly rate compared to December 2025. The most prominent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 60% of all incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category by 36%. This concentration of violent crime may reflect local demographic patterns, such as the presence of a transient population or the influence of seasonal factors, including the post-holiday period, which often correlates with increased incidents of domestic disputes or alcohol-related violence. Shoplifting and public order offences followed, each contributing 10% and 8% respectively, though both remained within or slightly above the UK average. The seasonal context of January—characterised by shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and a post-holiday lull—likely contributes to the lower frequency of outdoor crimes, such as vehicle theft, which saw a 50% decrease compared to the previous month. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, which tripled from one to three incidents, suggests a potential shift in criminal activity, possibly influenced by local environmental factors or unaddressed vulnerabilities in property security. These patterns highlight the combination of regional characteristics and national trends, with Axminster's crime profile illustrating both areas of strength and emerging challenges that warrant closer attention.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, which more than doubled from one to three incidents, and shoplifting, which rose by 150% to five cases. Burglary also surged by 100%, with three incidents reported, compared to none in the previous month. These spikes contrast with a 50% drop in vehicle crime, which fell from two to one incident. The breakdown of crimes reveals that violence and sexual offences were 36% above the UK average, a stark deviation from the national trend. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour was 78% below the UK average, and criminal damage and arson were 38% below, indicating areas where local policing or community factors may be exerting a notable influence. For residents, the significant rise in shoplifting suggests heightened activity in retail areas, potentially linked to post-holiday foot traffic patterns or seasonal demand.

Axminster's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 35.2% compared to the previous month, climbing from 4.2 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area remains 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Locally, this translates to roughly two crimes reported each day over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area. On a monthly scale, one crime was reported for every 176 residents, a metric that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents when viewed against the population size. This comparison underscores that while Axminster has seen a rise in certain categories, it still maintains a crime profile that is safer than the national average. The shift in crime patterns may reflect seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period, which can influence both the types and frequencies of incidents reported.