Meltham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Meltham's crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 31.8% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 29.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This pattern aligns with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may partly explain the lower incidence of outdoor crimes typically associated with busier months. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 22.7% of total crimes, reflecting persistent community tensions that could be linked to the area's compact built-up environment. Shoplifting, though lower than the UK average by 30%, still accounts for 9.1% of reported crimes, suggesting ongoing challenges in retail security despite the quieter month. The balance between property and violent crimes shows a relatively even split, with property crimes (15) and violent crimes (14) almost matching in numbers. This equilibrium contrasts with some UK areas where property crime dominates during colder months, hinting at unique local factors influencing crime patterns. The data also reveals that violence and sexual offences in Meltham are 40% below the UK average, a significant deviation that may reflect effective local policing strategies or community-focused initiatives. The overall crime rate, while low, requires continued monitoring to ensure sustained safety, particularly as the area transitions into busier seasonal periods.

January 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime doubling from 1 to 2 incidents—a 100% increase—potentially linked to colder weather prompting more vehicle-related incidents. Other theft also rose sharply by 100%, from 2 to 4 cases, possibly indicating targeted opportunistic activity during the post-holiday period. Robbery, though still rare, increased from 0 to 1 incident, a 100% jump that could reflect heightened vulnerability in isolated areas. Conversely, public order offences fell by 75%, from 8 to 2 cases, suggesting a reduction in disturbances that may correlate with shorter days and reduced social gatherings. Shoplifting decreased by 42.9%, from 7 to 4 cases, aligning with the seasonal context of reduced retail footfall. These shifts highlight a combination of environmental factors and criminal activity, with violence and sexual offences remaining the most prevalent category at 14 cases (31.8% of total), significantly below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 (2.5 vs 1.5 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour, while 18% above the UK average, remains a persistent issue, with 10 cases recorded. This data offers residents a concrete reference point: if a household of four were to experience a crime, it would take approximately 13 years for all four to encounter one, given the monthly exposure of 1-in-207 residents.

Meltham's crime rate in January 2026 (4.8 per 1,000) represents a 12.0% decrease from December's rate of 5.5 per 1,000, marking a notable improvement over the previous month. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 1 crime per day across 31 days, a figure that contextualises the low overall rate as a manageable frequency for local residents. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure of 1-in-207 residents underscores the relatively safe environment, though this metric should be interpreted as a monthly aggregate rather than a daily risk assessment. This 1-in-207 ratio is particularly significant for families considering relocation, as it suggests that the likelihood of encountering crime is lower than the UK average, which would equate to a higher exposure rate. The comparison to the UK average also reveals Meltham's distinct performance in specific categories: violence and sexual offences are 40% below the national average, while anti-social behaviour is 18% above, indicating a mixed picture of local challenges and successes. These figures, when paired with the 12% monthly decline, suggest that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may be contributing to the downward trend, though further analysis would be needed to confirm causal links. For context, a resident living in Meltham would statistically experience a crime once every 13 years if all household members were to encounter one, based on the monthly exposure rate.