Clay Cross Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Clay Cross's January 2026 crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents places it 1.5% below the UK average of 6.8, a marginal but statistically significant difference. The most prominent category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 45.1% of all reported crimes, with 23 incidents recorded. This figure, while lower than December's 36, remains 20% above the UK average for this category, indicating a persistent challenge in addressing violent crime in the area. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 19.6% of incidents, and was 40% above the UK average. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail activity—may have influenced the crime profile. Criminal damage and arson, at 9.8% of incidents, were 46% above the UK average, potentially linked to the area's industrial heritage and the cold weather exacerbating property-related disputes. The data also reveals an unexpected dip in shoplifting, with 4 incidents recorded (a 12% reduction from the UK average), which could reflect lower footfall in local businesses during the month. These patterns suggest a combination of environmental factors, local demographics, and policing efforts, requiring further analysis to identify long-term trends.

January 2026 saw a stark reduction in violence and sexual offences, plummeting from 36 incidents in December to 23—a 36.1% decrease. This drop, though unexplained by the data, aligns with the post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours, which may have reduced opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, burglary increased by 100%, with two incidents reported, suggesting heightened vulnerability in residential areas during colder months. Anti-social behaviour remained high, at 40% above the UK average, with 10 incidents recorded. This category's persistence despite the overall rate decline indicates ongoing challenges in managing community disturbances. Shoplifting fell by 33.3%, from six to four incidents, possibly linked to reduced retail footfall during January. The data also reveals a 76% deficit in public order offences compared to the UK average, a trend that may reflect effective local policing in this category.

Clay Cross's January 2026 crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 20.4% decline from December's 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a notable shift in local crime dynamics. This reduction contrasts with the area's historical volatility, suggesting potential stabilisation in policing strategies or community initiatives. On a daily basis, 2 crimes were reported per day in January—a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a built-up area. Monthly exposure calculations reveal that over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 150 residents, a rate that, when contextualised against the area's population of 7,668, highlights the concentrated nature of incidents in specific neighbourhoods. This monthly figure does not account for daily fluctuations, which may be influenced by factors such as weather patterns or temporary events. The population-scaled perspective indicates that while the overall rate is slightly below the UK average, the distribution of crime types—particularly the surge in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.