Cottingham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cottingham’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 6.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 8.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This relatively low rate, despite a 26.6% month-on-month increase, suggests a combination of local factors and national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (25.9% of total), vehicle crime (22.2%), and public order offences (12.4%). Violence and sexual offences fell sharply — 27.6% below December 2025’s figure — a decline consistent with January’s post-holiday seasonal context, which typically sees reduced retail activity and fewer outdoor interactions. However, this was offset by a dramatic 350% increase in vehicle crime, which now exceeds the UK average by 278%. Such a stark deviation from the national norm may reflect local vulnerabilities, such as the presence of commuter parking areas or under-resourced vehicle security measures. Meanwhile, public order offences rose 90% above the UK average, a trend that could be linked to the area’s rural-urban hybrid character, where unmonitored spaces may facilitate such incidents. The overall crime profile illustrates a mixed picture: while Cottingham remains safer than the UK average, the disproportionate rise in vehicle crime and public disorder suggests targeted interventions may be necessary to address these emerging patterns.

Vehicle crime saw an unprecedented surge, rising 350% month-on-month from 4 to 18 incidents. This spike, which places Cottingham 278% above the UK average for the category, contrasts sharply with the 27.6% decline in violence and sexual offences — a drop from 29 to 21 cases. The latter decrease aligns with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter days, which may limit opportunities for such crimes. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose 133.3%, a trend that could reflect increased anti-social behaviour during colder months. For residents, the sharp rise in vehicle crime is a pressing concern, as it now constitutes 22.2% of all recorded crimes — nearly double its share in the previous month. This shift underscores the need for targeted local measures, though no direct causes are evident from the data.

Cottingham’s crime rate in January 2026 rose 26.6% compared to December 2025’s 4.9 per 1,000, reflecting a shift in local dynamics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 162 residents — a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for residents. Daily, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a rate that, while modest, highlights the persistent presence of criminal activity. This increase contrasts with the area’s 8.8% below the UK average for the same period, suggesting that while Cottingham remains comparatively safer than the national average, local factors are driving upward trends. The population context further underscores that 81 crimes across 13,110 residents equate to a manageable but notable level of activity, particularly in light of the sharp rise in vehicle crime. This shift may signal seasonal or environmental changes, though can be confirmed without further data.