Gloucester Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Gloucester's crime rate of 10.4 per 1,000 in January 2026 places it 57.6% above the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000, a stark contrast that warrants attention to local factors. The city's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.1% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.6%) and shoplifting (9.7%). These figures align with Gloucester's character as a mid-sized urban centre with a mix of residential, commercial, and educational areas. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the elevated rates of anti-social behaviour, as community activities shift indoors and public spaces become less monitored. The relatively high incidence of shoplifting (82% above the UK average) may reflect the absence of Christmas shopping traffic, which typically deters such crimes, while the persistent presence of anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing challenges in managing public order in high-traffic areas. The city's crime picture also reveals a significant disparity in property crime rates compared to the UK average, with shoplifting, public order offences, and anti-social behaviour all exceeding national benchmarks. This pattern may be influenced by Gloucester's proximity to major transport routes and its role as a regional hub, which could increase opportunities for petty crime. The elevated rates of violent crime, particularly in comparison to the UK average, may also be linked to the city's demographic composition, including a younger population and the presence of multiple educational institutions. These factors combined create a unique crime environment that requires targeted policing and community engagement strategies to address.

Vehicle crime rose sharply by 32.6%, jumping from 46 to 61 incidents, a shift that may reflect increased motorist activity during colder weather or targeted thefts in residential areas. Burglary also increased by 14.3%, with 48 incidents reported, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in home security during the post-holiday period. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 62.5%, dropping from 8 to 3 cases, possibly linked to reduced foot traffic in retail zones during January's shorter days. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.6 per 1,000, remain 48% above the UK average, indicating a persistent challenge in addressing violent crime in Gloucester. Anti-social behaviour, at 2.1 per 1,000, is 131% above the UK average, highlighting the need for community-focused interventions in public spaces.

Gloucester's crime rate remained stable at 10.4 per 1,000 in January 2026, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity during the transition from December to January. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 46 crimes reported each day, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 97 residents, highlighting the scale of exposure for Gloucester's population. This monthly exposure rate is particularly noteworthy when considering the area's size and the distribution of crime types, which include high rates of violence and anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the rate is elevated, it remains a localised metric rather than a reflection of national trends.