Linthwaite and Slaithwaite Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Linthwaite and Slaithwaite recorded 66 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents — 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure marks the first increase since last summer, with the most significant rise occurring in vehicle crime, which surged by 250%. The area’s crime profile remains characterised by a balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 51.5% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (15.2%) and vehicle crime (10.6%). Seasonal factors, including colder weather and reduced retail footfall, may have contributed to shifts in crime patterns, such as the rise in vehicle-related offences and the decline in public order crimes. The built-up nature of the area, with its mix of residential and commercial zones, likely influences these dynamics, as does the post-holiday period, which typically sees lower levels of public activity. While the overall crime rate remains low compared to the UK average, the 15.9% increase from the previous month suggests a need for closer monitoring of emerging trends. The area’s violent crime rate (3.3 per 1,000) is 32% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in this category, while property crimes such as shoplifting and burglary remain significantly above national benchmarks. These data points underscore the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime patterns, even in an area that generally maintains a safer-than-average profile.

Vehicle crime rose by 250% from 2 to 7 incidents, the most dramatic month-on-month increase, and remains 89% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. This surge, despite the area’s generally low crime profile, may indicate vulnerabilities in parking infrastructure or increased vehicle-related thefts during colder months. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson more than doubled, a 200% increase, while possession of weapons rose by 100% — both trends likely tied to seasonal factors like colder weather and reduced outdoor activity. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences fell sharply, by 71.4% and 66.7% respectively, possibly reflecting quieter evenings during January’s shorter days. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category (51.5% of total crimes), remained 32% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the 78% reduction in anti-social behaviour, which was 78% below the UK rate. Residents may find the drop in public order offences particularly noteworthy, as it aligns with reduced foot traffic in local retail areas during the post-holiday period. The sharp rise in vehicle crime, however, raises questions about potential vulnerabilities in parking infrastructure or increased vehicle-related thefts during colder months. This trend may also indicate a shift in criminal focus from public spaces to private vehicles, a pattern observed in other built-up areas with similar seasonal dynamics.

Linthwaite and Slaithwaite’s crime rate rose from 5.6 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, a 15.9% increase that marks the first upward trend since last summer. Despite this rise, the area remains 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, underscoring its relatively low crime profile compared to national benchmarks. On a daily basis, the local figure stands at approximately 2 crimes per day, a rate consistent with the area’s historical pattern of low-to-moderate activity. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 156 residents, a monthly exposure figure that reflects the built-up nature of the area, where higher population density and mixed land use (residential, commercial, and industrial zones) create unique dynamics. This density may contribute to the persistence of certain crime types, even as overall rates remain low. The population context highlights that crime remains rare here, but the 15.9% rise warrants scrutiny of emerging patterns. Seasonal factors, such as colder weather, may have shifted criminal focus toward vehicles and property, as outdoor activity decreases. The area’s character as a built-up zone with a mix of retail and residential areas likely plays a role in shaping these trends, though the overall crime rate still aligns with a safer-than-average local profile.