Bishop's Stortford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Bishop's Stortford's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a distinct balance of violent and property crimes, shaped by both local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. With a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents—22.1% below the UK average—the area's overall safety remains above national benchmarks. The most significant share of crimes, 44.4%, falls under violence and sexual offences, a category that, while rising by 15.7% month-on-month, still lags 8% behind the UK average. This divergence may be influenced by the area's demographic makeup, with a higher proportion of older residents who are more likely to experience domestic violence or sexual offences than younger populations. Anti-social behaviour, contributing 18.5% of all crimes, slightly exceeds the UK average by 8%, a pattern often seen in areas with mixed-use developments where public spaces are shared by diverse groups. In contrast, property crimes like shoplifting and burglary show marked underperformance relative to the UK, with shoplifting rates 47% below the national average. This could be attributed to the area's lower retail density and the post-holiday lull in January, when foot traffic declines and fewer opportunities for theft arise. The seasonal context further supports this interpretation, as shorter days and colder weather may deter outdoor crimes, particularly in an area like Bishop's Stortford, which lacks the high-density urban environments typically associated with higher property crime rates. However, the sharp increase in robbery—150% higher than December 2025—raises questions about localized vulnerabilities, though the small absolute numbers suggest this may be an anomaly rather than a sustained trend.

January 2026 saw a 150% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 2 to 5 cases, a sharp contrast to the overall downward trend in crime. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect isolated incidents or heightened vulnerability in specific locations. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences rose by 15.7%, though they remain 8% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may be influencing this category. Anti-social behaviour, at 18.5% of all crimes, exceeded the UK average by 8%, highlighting a persistent challenge in community engagement. Shoplifting rates fell 47% below the UK average, a stark deviation that could be linked to the area's lower retail footfall during January. Other theft and burglary both declined significantly, with other theft dropping 65.5% and burglary falling 61.5%, indicating improved security measures or seasonal inactivity in targeted areas.

Bishop's Stortford's crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 18.3% compared to the previous month, falling from 6.5 to 5.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical January patterns, where reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may contribute to lower outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 7 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local rhythm of activity rather than an isolated spike. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 190 residents, a rate that places the area in a relatively safer bracket compared to national averages. This monthly exposure metric provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime for residents, though it does not account for variations in individual risk factors such as location or behaviour. The population-scaled perspective further highlights that Bishop's Stortford's crime profile remains distinct from broader UK trends, with specific categories like shoplifting and burglary showing marked underperformance relative to national rates.