Gildersome Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in Gildersome’s crime profile occurred in drug-related offences, which surged by 200% in January 2026 compared to December. This jump in illicit drug activity contrasts with declines in other categories, including a 25% reduction in violence and sexual offences and a 33% drop in criminal damage and arson. Gildersome’s overall crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents places it 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8, a position consistent with its status as a built-up area within Leeds that has historically maintained lower crime rates than other major urban centres. The most prevalent crime types in January were violence and sexual offences (37.5% of total), followed by other theft (15%) and anti-social behaviour (10%). These figures align with seasonal patterns observed in similar urban areas, where post-holiday periods typically see reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor crimes. However, the sharp rise in drug-related activity may partly explain the shift in crime mix, suggesting local factors beyond typical seasonal trends are at play. The area’s relatively low overall crime rate compared to the UK average is also reflected in specific categories: violence and sexual offences are 4% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 35% below. This suggests Gildersome’s policing strategies or community characteristics may contribute to these disparities, though further analysis would be needed to confirm direct links.

January 2026 saw a 200% increase in drug-related crimes compared to December, marking the most significant month-on-month swing in the area. This surge, from 1 to 3 reported incidents, occurred alongside a 100% rise in shoplifting (2 to 4 cases) and a 33.3% increase in burglary (3 to 4). These upward trends contrast with decreases in other categories: violence and sexual offences fell by 25% (20 to 15 cases), criminal damage and arson dropped 33.3% (3 to 2), and other theft declined by 33.3% (9 to 6). The shift in crime mix highlights a growing emphasis on property-related offences, with burglary and shoplifting now accounting for 20% of total crimes—up from 15% in December. Drug-related crimes in Gildersome are 79% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, a figure that may reflect local challenges in addressing illicit drug use or distribution. Conversely, anti-social behaviour remains 35% below the UK average, suggesting effective community engagement or policing efforts in this category. For residents, the 200% increase in drug-related crimes is a stark reminder of the need for targeted interventions, particularly as this category now represents 7.5% of all reported crimes in the area.

Gildersome’s crime rate in January 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents) marked a 16.7% decline from the previous month’s rate of 7.7 per 1,000. This reduction, though modest, aligns with the seasonal context of post-holiday periods in built-up areas, where reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours typically lower outdoor crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 reported crime per day in January, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 in 157 residents. While this rate is lower than the UK average (which would require specific data to compare), it reflects Gildersome’s position as a relatively low-crime built-up area within Leeds. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the 40 reported crimes in January affected a small proportion of the 6,265 residents, with the most common crimes (violence and sexual offences) impacting 37.5% of total incidents. This distribution suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, its share of total incidents has not increased significantly compared to other categories. The contrast between Gildersome’s overall rate and specific categories—such as other theft (117% above UK average) and burglary (114% above)—highlights the importance of contextual analysis, as local factors may amplify certain crime types while mitigating others.