Wellingborough Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 saw Wellingborough's crime rate reach 9.1 per 1,000 residents, 30% above the UK average of 7.0. This figure, the highest in the built-up area since March 2025, reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local demographics. The top three crime categories accounted for 68.7% of all incidents: violence and sexual offences (162, 31.3% of total), anti-social behaviour (87, 16.8%), and vehicle crime (61, 11.8%). The surge in violent crime, particularly in the context of Christmas shopping and dark evenings, may be partially explained by the area's status as a major retail hub. Anti-social behaviour, which is 61% above the UK average, likely stems from the built-up nature of the area and the concentration of social spaces in its town centre. Vehicle crime, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 197% above the UK average, a figure that may be exacerbated by the presence of commuter parking and the influx of visitors during the festive season. The seasonal context of December, with its combination of holiday shopping, party season, and extended periods of darkness, may contribute to the overall increase in crime rates. Criminal damage and arson (0.5 per 1,000) is 4% below the UK average, a minor anomaly that could reflect improved community policing efforts or increased awareness during the festive period.

The most dramatic month-on-month change was a 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from zero to two incidents. This spike aligns with seasonal factors, including empty homes during holiday periods and increased foot traffic in retail areas. Vehicle crime also surged 69.4% (36 to 61), likely driven by Christmas shopping and the presence of unattended vehicles in town centres. Burglary increased by 52.9% (17 to 26), a trend consistent with the UK's broader pattern of property crime rising during December. In contrast, public order offences fell 37.9% (29 to 18), possibly due to stricter enforcement during the festive season. Wellingborough's rate for anti-social behaviour (1.5 per 1,000) is 61% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area's built-up character and high population density. The 197% above UK average rate for vehicle crime underscores the need for targeted interventions in parking areas.

Wellingborough's crime rate rose 6.8% from 8.6 to 9.1 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, marking the first increase since July 2025. This brings the annualised rate to 107.6 per 1,000, exceeding the UK average by 30%. Daily crime figures show 17 crimes reported each day in December, a slight rise from November's 16.3. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 109 residents, a figure that aligns with seasonal patterns of increased retail activity and holiday-related incidents. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while Wellingborough's rate remains above the UK average, the proportional increase in violent crime (31.3% of total crimes) compared to property crime (68.7%) reflects a shift in crime dynamics not seen in the previous month. This balance may partly explain the 197% above UK average rate for vehicle crime, which spiked during the festive period as more vehicles were parked in residential areas overnight.