Ledbury Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ledbury's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure that places the area 25% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance highlights the area's relative safety, particularly in the context of a built-up community within Herefordshire. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.5% of total incidents (18 cases) and 24% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed with 20.8% of total crimes (10 cases), though this figure remained 18% above the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of January, a post-holiday month with reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, likely influenced the crime profile. Fewer outdoor crimes were recorded, consistent with the lower visibility and mobility associated with winter conditions. This pattern is reinforced by the low rate of vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000, 19% below the UK average), which may reflect reduced parking activity and fewer opportunities for theft in colder weather. The suppression of shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000, 47% below the UK average) further supports this interpretation, as reduced footfall in retail areas likely limited opportunities for such offences. The balance between property and violent crime in Ledbury contrasts with national trends, where property crime typically dominates. This divergence may be attributable to the area's smaller scale and the presence of community-focused policing efforts that have historically prioritised addressing violent incidents. The low overall crime rate, combined with the specific suppression of certain categories, suggests that local factors such as community engagement and seasonal patterns are playing a significant role in shaping the area's crime picture.

January 2026 saw a notable 16.7% decrease in anti-social behaviour, with reported incidents dropping from 12 to 10. This reduction aligns with the post-holiday period, when community activities may have shifted indoors and public spaces experienced lower footfall. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained 47% below the UK average, with three incidents recorded compared to the national figure of six per 1,000 residents. This continued suppression of retail crime may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced shopping activity during shorter winter days. However, violence and sexual offences rose by 50%, increasing from 12 to 18 incidents. This shift contrasts with the overall trend of lower crime rates but could be linked to colder weather driving more indoor gatherings. Public order offences also surged by 100%, with six incidents reported compared to three in December. This spike may indicate heightened tensions in public spaces during the post-holiday period.

Ledbury's crime rate remained stable at 5.1 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, matching the figure recorded in December 2025. This consistency suggests no significant shifts in overall criminal activity during the transition between months. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two reported crimes per day, a figure that reflects the relatively low density of incidents in a built-up area within Herefordshire. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 196 residents, a ratio that positions Ledbury as a community with lower exposure to crime compared to the UK average. This monthly aggregate provides residents with a tangible sense of the scale of incidents, though it does not account for variations in daily patterns or the distribution of specific crime types. The population context further reinforces that crime remains a rare occurrence in this area, with only 48 total crimes reported across 9,409 residents.