Wisbech Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Wisbech's crime rate in January 2026 was 11.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 75% above the UK average of 6.8. This stark contrast with national figures highlights the area's unique challenges. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (44.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.6%) and criminal damage and arson (8.0%). These patterns align with Wisbech's status as a built-up area within Fenland, where community tensions and property-related disputes may contribute to elevated rates of violent and anti-social incidents. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may exacerbate issues such as domestic disputes and alcohol-fuelled conflicts in local pubs and social hubs. While property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft remained relatively low compared to violent crimes, the disproportionate rise in violent offences compared to the UK average suggests systemic factors beyond typical seasonal fluctuations. This includes a possible overrepresentation of vulnerable populations or gaps in community support networks that could be amplified during colder months. The data also reveals that Wisbech's violent crime rate (5.3 per 1,000) is 112% above the UK average for this category, indicating a need for targeted interventions in areas where violence is most concentrated.

January 2026 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Burglary increased by 400% (from 2 to 10 incidents), robbery rose by 300% (from 1 to 4), and 'other crime' surged by 250% (from 4 to 14). These sharp increases may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather driving more indoor crimes or changes in local economic activity. Conversely, public order offences fell by 66.7% (from 12 to 4), shoplifting decreased by 33.3% (from 24 to 16), and drug-related crimes dropped by 25% (from 8 to 6). The decline in shoplifting could be linked to reduced retail footfall during January, a pattern consistent with post-holiday periods. Wisbech's violent crime rate (5.3 per 1,000) is 112% above the UK average for this category, while anti-social behaviour (2.0 per 1,000) is 115% above the national figure. This disparity underscores the area's distinct challenges compared to the UK average, which sees 2.5 per 1,000 for violence and 0.9 per 1,000 for anti-social behaviour. Residents may find the 400% increase in burglary particularly concerning, as it suggests a growing risk to property security that could impact local confidence in community safety measures.

Wisbech's crime rate in January 2026 (11.9 per 1,000) marked a 21.8% increase from the previous month's rate of 9.8, reflecting a rising trend that demands attention. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 10 reported crimes per day in January, a figure that may seem high to residents but must be contextualised within the local population of 25,334. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 84 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not immediately alarming, indicates a persistent presence of criminal activity. Comparing this to the UK average, Wisbech's rate is more than double the national figure, suggesting a need for deeper analysis of local conditions that may contribute to this disparity. The population context also reveals that Wisbech's relatively small size (under 26,000 residents) may make it more susceptible to concentrated crime patterns, where a small number of incidents can have a disproportionate impact on community perceptions of safety. While the UK average crime rate includes a broader range of urban and rural areas, Wisbech's built-up nature within Fenland may create unique challenges, such as limited policing resources per capita or higher concentrations of vulnerable populations in specific neighbourhoods.