Leicester Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Leicester's crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 36.1% of all reported crimes. This category alone stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, 48% above the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000. The overall crime rate of 9.9 per 1,000 residents marked a 50% increase compared to the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000, highlighting a stark contrast with national trends. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences followed closely, with the latter being 144% above the UK average. These figures align with Leicester's status as a major urban centre with a mix of retail, nightlife, and densely populated residential areas. The post-holiday period in January, combined with shorter days and reduced footfall in some retail spaces, may have contributed to a shift in crime patterns. While property crimes accounted for 33.7% of the total, violent crimes consistently outpaced their share, suggesting a combination of social and environmental factors. The seasonal context of January—typically marked by colder weather and fewer outdoor activities—could have influenced the distribution of crimes, with indoor and street-based incidents becoming more prominent. This pattern underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly those with concentrated nightlife or limited community engagement initiatives.

January 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 87% compared to December, driven by a jump from 23 to 43 incidents. This increase, coupled with a 28.9% rise in drug-related offences (from 159 to 205) and a 24.8% increase in burglary (from 121 to 151), highlights emerging concerns in Leicester's crime profile. Conversely, bicycle theft decreased by 26.9% (from 52 to 38), possibly reflecting seasonal trends or improved security measures in areas with high bike usage. Theft from the person also fell by 18.4% (from 38 to 31), though this category remained near the UK average. The most striking disparity remains in public order offences, which were 144% above the UK average at 1.0 per 1,000 residents. This suggests a need for focused policing in areas prone to public disturbances, such as major thoroughfares or entertainment hubs. For residents, the daily crime count of 123 incidents per day offers a tangible benchmark for understanding local risks, particularly in relation to violent crimes and anti-social behaviour, which together accounted for over 48% of all reported incidents.

Leicester's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 9.9 per 1,000 residents, a 6.1% increase from the previous month's rate of 9.3 per 1,000. This upward trend, though modest, reflects a broader pattern of persistent challenges in managing crime across the city. On a daily basis, 123 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that, while local to Leicester, provides a concrete measure of the scale of activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 101 residents—a ratio that underscores the frequency of incidents in a densely populated urban area. Compared to the UK average, Leicester's overall rate remains significantly higher, but the breakdown reveals stark contrasts in specific categories. For instance, vehicle crime in Leicester was 19% below the UK average, a deviation that may reflect local infrastructure or parking practices. However, the city's performance in categories like public order offences (144% above UK average) and anti-social behaviour (32% above) indicates areas requiring urgent attention. These figures, when contextualised within Leicester's population of 388,348, highlight both the scale of the challenge and the need for tailored strategies to address the city's unique crime profile.