Higham Ferrers Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Higham Ferrers recorded a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 13.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This marks a continuation of a trend observed in recent months, where the area has consistently maintained lower-than-average crime levels. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, each contributing 14.3%. The rate of violent crime in Higham Ferrers is 4% above the UK average, highlighting a specific challenge in this category. Seasonal factors may play a role in these figures, as January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which could influence patterns of outdoor crime. However, the overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the national average, suggesting that local policing strategies and community initiatives may be contributing to this outcome. The area’s relatively low levels of property crime—particularly burglary, which fell by 50% compared to the previous month—may reflect the impact of targeted interventions or natural seasonal trends. While violence remains a concern, the broader context of a safer-than-average environment indicates that Higham Ferrers continues to benefit from measures that reduce overall criminal activity.

January 2026 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with shoplifting experiencing a 300% increase from 2 to 8 incidents, marking the most significant rise. This surge may be linked to post-holiday retail activity or changes in local shopping patterns, though no direct causal link can be confirmed. Conversely, other theft and burglary both decreased by 60% and 50% respectively, reflecting a notable reduction in property-related crimes. The drop in burglary could indicate the effectiveness of recent security measures or a seasonal lull in opportunistic crimes. Drug-related incidents also rose by 100%, from 0 to 3, though this increase remains within the context of a small number of cases. In contrast, anti-social behaviour remained stable at 8 incidents, slightly below the UK average. The category of other theft, which fell by 60%, was 57% below the UK average, suggesting that Higham Ferrers has a particularly strong record in preventing theft from individuals. These variations highlight the importance of targeted policing and community engagement in addressing specific crime trends. A resident might find the 50% decrease in burglary reassuring, as it indicates that measures to protect homes may be working. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting underscores the need for continued vigilance in retail areas.

The crime rate in Higham Ferrers rose by 16.5% in January 2026 compared to December 2025, moving from 5.0 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area still maintains a safer-than-average profile, with its current rate remaining 13.2% below the UK average. On a daily basis, 2 crimes were reported over the 31-day period, translating to a local frequency of roughly one crime for every 170 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of how crime is distributed within the community, emphasizing that the vast majority of residents are not directly affected by criminal activity. When viewed through the lens of population size, Higham Ferrers’ 9,533 residents mean that each reported crime carries a relatively low probability of affecting any single individual. However, the 16.5% increase from the previous month suggests that local conditions—such as changes in policing focus or seasonal shifts—may be influencing crime dynamics. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the rise in specific categories like shoplifting and drug-related offences indicates that certain areas of the town may require more targeted attention. The comparison with the previous month also highlights the importance of monitoring short-term fluctuations to identify emerging trends that could inform future strategies.