Maldon Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Maldon’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure 41.2% below the UK average of 6.8. This performance underscores the area’s relatively safe profile, though the data reveals a combination of crime types and seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 57.3% of all incidents, a rate that remained 8% below the UK average. Criminal damage and arson followed, contributing 7.7% of total crimes, while shoplifting emerged as the third most common category at 6.6%. These patterns align with Maldon’s character as a coastal town with a mix of rural and urban elements, where retail areas may drive shoplifting and lower population density may reduce property crime. January, a post-holiday month with shorter days and reduced retail footfall, likely contributed to lower overall crime rates in some categories, though the sharp rise in shoplifting suggests alternative dynamics at play. The area’s performance is consistent with seasonal trends observed in similar coastal communities, where reduced outdoor activity and tourism may temper certain types of crime. However, the 200% increase in shoplifting and the doubling of bicycle theft raise questions about underlying factors, such as end-of-season sales or changes in local retail practices, that warrant further observation. Overall, Maldon’s crime profile remains markedly safer than the national average, reflecting effective policing, community engagement, or environmental factors that mitigate criminal activity.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 200% increase in shoplifting, with reported cases rising from six to eighteen. This sharp rise, though unexplained by the data, contrasts with the 71.4% increase in burglary and the 100% jump in bicycle theft. These spikes may reflect seasonal factors such as post-holiday retail activity or shifts in consumer behaviour. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 75%, and drugs-related crimes dropped by 57.1%, suggesting potential success in targeted interventions or natural fluctuations. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 57.3% of all crimes, but this rate was 8% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. The town’s criminal damage and arson rate was 38% below the UK average, a figure that may align with Maldon’s character as a largely rural area with fewer high-density urban spaces prone to such offences.

Maldon’s crime rate in January 2026 rose by 6.5% compared to December 2025, moving from 3.7 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. While this marks a slight upward trend, the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately nine crimes per day in January, a figure that, while localised, provides a tangible sense of the monthly pace of incidents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 252 residents, a statistic that contextualises the frequency of reported crimes in relation to the population of 69,131. This monthly exposure rate, though modest, highlights the need for continued vigilance and community engagement to maintain Maldon’s relatively low crime profile compared to national benchmarks.