Leominster Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Leominster's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 30.2% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 24%. This mix of crime types suggests a combination of social and environmental factors, though the area's character as a built-up district within Herefordshire likely plays a role. The overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents—19.1% above the UK average—raises questions about local dynamics. While violent crime remains a concern, the dominance of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting points to challenges in community management and retail security. The seasonal context of January, with its post-holiday lull and reduced retail footfall, may have influenced these patterns, though the sharp rise in shoplifting defies typical expectations for this time of year. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.9 per 1,000, is 104% above the UK average, suggesting a unique local challenge that may stem from the town's demographics or infrastructure. In contrast, vehicle crime fell by 50% compared to December, a decline that aligns with the UK average (0.4 per 1,000). This divergence highlights the need for tailored strategies to address specific crime types, such as targeted interventions for anti-social behaviour or enhanced retail security measures. The town's relatively small size and proximity to rural areas may also contribute to its distinct crime profile, though further analysis would be required to confirm these connections.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 160% increase in shoplifting, rising from 5 to 13 incidents. This sharp rise may partly explain the overall 14.3% month-on-month increase in crime rates. Burglary also doubled, jumping from 0 to 4 cases, a trend that contrasts with the UK average for burglary, which was 0.3 per 1,000. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 50%, dropping from 2 to 1 incident—a decrease that aligns with the UK average for this category (0.4 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour emerged as the second most common crime type, accounting for 24% of all reported incidents, and stood at 104% above the UK average. This stark discrepancy suggests a unique local challenge, potentially linked to the town's social fabric or specific community dynamics. For residents, the 160% spike in shoplifting is a concrete data point that may prompt local retailers to enhance security measures or community engagement efforts.

Leominster's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 8.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 14.3% increase from the previous month's 7.0 per 1,000. This upward trend places the area 19.1% above the UK average, highlighting a need for continued vigilance. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that, while modest, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 124 residents, a statistic that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1-in-124. This is particularly noteworthy when considering the town's population of 11,924, as it illustrates the frequency with which residents may encounter crime within their community. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the absolute number of crimes may seem low, the proportion relative to the town's size is higher than the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community dynamics or specific hotspots—may play a role in this disparity. Residents should be aware that this rate, though not extreme, is a significant deviation from national benchmarks and may warrant targeted local initiatives.