Monmouthshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Monmouthshire's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a starkly different balance of crime types compared to the UK average. While the overall crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents is 98.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, the composition of crimes tells a distinct story. Violent and sexual offences dominate, accounting for 71.4% of all reported incidents, far outpacing property crimes. This concentration of violent offences is consistent with the area's rural character, where smaller communities and limited public spaces may foster closer social ties but also create conditions for interpersonal conflicts. The UK average for violent crimes is 2.5 per 1,000, meaning Monmouthshire's rate is 96% below that figure, a discrepancy likely explained by the area's low population density and reduced opportunities for large-scale criminal activity. Seasonal factors also play a role, with January's post-holiday period and shorter days contributing to a shift in crime patterns. Retail footfall has declined, reducing opportunities for shoplifting and burglary, while the colder, darker evenings may limit outdoor activities that could lead to public disorder. However, the spike in violence and sexual offences suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary, even in low-crime areas. The absence of property crimes in January aligns with the UK trend of reduced theft during winter months, though Monmouthshire's figures remain exceptionally low. This data highlights the importance of understanding local crime dynamics through both absolute numbers and their relative context, ensuring that policies and community resources are appropriately calibrated to the area's unique needs.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 150% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 2 to 5 incidents. This category now accounts for 71.4% of all reported crimes, a significant shift from previous months. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, doubling from 0 to 2 incidents—a 100% increase. Both categories are well below the UK average, with violent crimes at 96% below the national rate of 2.5 per 1,000. The crime mix in Monmouthshire remains heavily skewed toward violent offences compared to property crimes, a pattern consistent with rural areas where interpersonal conflicts may be more prevalent. The absence of property crimes in January suggests a seasonal trend, as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may limit opportunities for theft and burglary. For residents, the spike in violence and sexual offences underscores the importance of community safety initiatives, even in areas with generally low crime rates.

The crime rate in Monmouthshire for January 2026 remained at 0.1 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. However, this represents a 40% increase in the absolute number of crimes reported compared to December 2025, though the rate itself has not changed. Daily crime context shows that, over the 31 days of January, there were effectively zero crimes reported per day on average, a figure that underscores the rarity of criminal activity in this area. When scaled to the population of 94,930, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 13,561 residents. This low frequency is far below the UK average, with the area's violent crime rate at 0.1 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 2.5 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even with the month-on-month increase in crime numbers, the overall risk to residents remains exceptionally low, consistent with Monmouthshire's historically low crime profile.