Cottingham Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cottingham’s crime profile in December 2025 reveals a striking imbalance between property and violent crime, with the latter dominating the overall rate. At 4.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area remains 30% below the UK average of 7.0, highlighting a broader trend of lower-than-average criminal activity. Violent crimes—29 in total—accounted for 45.3% of all recorded incidents, outpacing property crimes (23 incidents, 35.9%) and other categories combined. This shift may reflect seasonal dynamics, as the month overlaps with the Christmas shopping peak, dark evenings, and the potential for increased social interactions in retail and hospitality spaces. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, though their rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 14% below the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community engagement or policing strategies may contribute to this disparity. Public order offences (12.5% of total crimes) and shoplifting (12.5%) followed, with the latter’s sharp rise in December warranting closer attention. The seasonal context—empty homes over holidays, heightened foot traffic in commercial areas, and the pressure of end-of-year spending—likely amplifies risks in specific locations, such as high-street retailers and public transport hubs. While violent crime remains the dominant concern, the relatively low property crime rate compared to the UK average indicates a possible resilience in local security measures or demographic characteristics that mitigate burglary and vehicle-related incidents.

December 2025 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting surging 300% compared to November, jumping from 2 to 8 incidents. This spike, coupled with a 100% increase in vehicle crime (2 to 4), suggests seasonal vulnerabilities in retail and transport sectors during the festive period. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 60%, dropping from 5 to 2, potentially reflecting the impact of holiday-related social dynamics or temporary displacement of individuals from public spaces. Public order offences (8 incidents) exceeded the UK average by 36%, a stark contrast to categories like criminal damage and arson, which were 62% below the national benchmark. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted significantly, with violent crimes (29) outpacing property crimes (23) for the first time in recent months. This reversal may indicate a seasonal increase in interpersonal conflicts or the influence of alcohol consumption during the party season. For residents, the daily crime count of 2 incidents—equivalent to roughly one crime every 205 residents over the month—provides a tangible measure of local risk, though the overall rate remains well below the UK average. The sharp rise in shoplifting, in particular, could signal a need for enhanced retail security measures or targeted policing efforts in high-traffic areas during December.

Cottingham’s crime rate in December 2025 rose 25.4% compared to November’s 3.9 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a monthly increase that, while significant, remains far below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 205 residents. This ratio, though seemingly high, is contextualized by Cottingham’s population of 13,110 and its status as a built-up area with a relatively low overall crime rate. When compared to the UK average, Cottingham’s performance in specific categories is mixed: while public order offences and shoplifting exceed national benchmarks, other areas such as vehicle crime and burglary are lower. The monthly exposure metric, though not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, offers residents a localized perspective on risk. For instance, a resident has a 1-in-205 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime during December, a probability that, when contrasted with the UK average, underscores the area’s relative safety. The increase from November may also be attributed to the month’s unique characteristics, such as the closure of schools and the influx of tourists, which can temporarily disrupt local crime patterns. This comparison highlights both the strengths and vulnerabilities of Cottingham’s policing and community strategies, particularly in managing seasonal fluctuations in crime types.