Gomersal and Birkenshaw Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The built-up area of Gomersal and Birkenshaw recorded a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 13.2% below the UK average of 6.8. This rate reflects a mix of crime types shaped by the area’s character as a smaller, inland community within Kirklees. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 28.4% of all crimes, followed by vehicle crime (17.9%) and anti-social behaviour (13.7%). These figures align with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall, which may partly explain the lower prevalence of shoplifting compared to other months. The area’s crime profile shows a notable contrast to national trends: while vehicle crime is 197% above the UK average, violence and sexual offences are 32% below. This divergence likely reflects local factors, such as the community’s relative isolation from major transport hubs, which may reduce opportunities for vehicle-related crime, while smaller population density could contribute to lower violent crime rates. The overall rate remains stable compared to previous years, suggesting a consistent pattern of low-level crime that does not mirror the spikes seen in larger urban centres.

January 2026 saw an extraordinary 1600% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 1 incident in December to 17. This surge dwarfs all other month-on-month changes and represents a stark shift in the crime mix. While violence and sexual offences fell by 20.6% to 27 incidents, the rise in vehicle crime may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather prompting more vehicle-related incidents or increased traffic congestion during the post-holiday period. Shoplifting also surged by 350%, from 2 to 9 incidents, though this remains below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. The area’s vehicle crime rate (1.1 per 1,000) is 197% above the UK average, a figure that would be of particular interest to local residents concerned about car theft or vandalism. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (0.8 per 1,000) is 14% below the UK average, suggesting community dynamics or policing strategies that effectively mitigate such incidents. These contrasting trends highlight the complexity of local crime patterns, where certain categories deviate significantly from national averages while others remain aligned.

The crime rate in Gomersal and Birkenshaw rose by 35.6% in January 2026 compared to the previous month’s rate of 4.4 per 1,000, reflecting a notable upward shift. Over the course of the month, 95 crimes were recorded, translating to roughly 3 crimes per day for the area’s 15,986 residents. This daily figure provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur in a community of this size. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 168 residents, a statistic that contextualises the frequency of crime relative to the population. While this rate is lower than the UK average, the significant jump from December highlights the need for continued monitoring of local trends. The increase appears to be driven by sharp rises in vehicle crime and shoplifting, which may be influenced by seasonal factors such as post-holiday activity or changes in local behaviour. This contrast with the previous month’s data underscores the volatility of crime rates in smaller communities, where even modest changes in specific categories can alter the overall picture substantially.