Olney Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Olney, a built-up area within Milton Keynes, recorded a crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 54.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast to the national benchmark reflects the area's character as a relatively low-crime environment, likely influenced by its suburban layout and integration with Milton Keynes' broader infrastructure. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 47.8% of all incidents (11 cases), followed by vehicle crime (17.4%) and other theft (13.0%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—may have contributed to the lower overall crime rate, particularly in outdoor spaces. However, the breakdown reveals a nuanced picture: while violent crime remains significantly below the UK average, vehicle crime exceeds national levels by 62%, suggesting specific vulnerabilities in this category. The area's proximity to major transport routes and commuter activity may explain this discrepancy. These patterns align with typical characteristics of suburban built-up areas, where property crimes can fluctuate due to transient populations and local economic factors. The relatively low burglary rate (0.1 per 1,000) further supports the notion of a stable residential environment, though the sudden rise in other crime categories merits closer examination.

January 2026 saw unprecedented spikes in three crime categories: Other crime, Public order, and Vehicle crime, each surging by 100% from zero to two or four incidents. This dramatic increase, particularly in Other crime, which rose from zero to two cases, highlights a shift in local crime dynamics. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 50.0% compared to the previous month, suggesting a temporary decline in residential property crimes. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly below the UK average at 1.5 per 1,000, a rate 40% lower than the national benchmark. Vehicle crime, however, exceeded the UK average by 62%, indicating a localised challenge in this category. These changes underscore the need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing the sudden rise in Other crime and Public order incidents, which may reflect seasonal or situational factors.

Olney's crime rate in January 2026 rose 15.0% from 2.7 to 3.1 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2025. This equates to roughly one reported crime every 318 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. On a daily basis, 23 total crimes were reported across 31 days, averaging one crime per day. While this rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, the increase from the previous month suggests a shift in local patterns. The population-scaled perspective shows that Olney's crime rate, though modest, reflects a balance between its built-up area characteristics and the broader Milton Keynes context. This comparison highlights the need to consider both local and national benchmarks when assessing community safety trends.