Hexham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Hexham's crime rate in January 2026 was 2.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 70.6% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure reflects a consistently low crime profile for the built-up area within Northumberland, a rural region characterised by small communities and limited urban density. Anti-social behaviour was the most frequently reported category, accounting for 33.3% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (19.1%) and shoplifting (14.3%). These patterns align with the area's seasonal rhythm: post-holiday periods in January often see reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor activities, which may contribute to lower rates of shoplifting and vehicle crime. The low overall rate is also consistent with Hexham's rural character, where community policing and strong local networks may play a role in crime prevention. However, the area's anti-social behaviour rate, while lower than the UK average, remains a notable challenge, linked to the social dynamics of smaller towns. The seasonal context—shorter days and post-holiday lulls—further supports the interpretation that environmental and temporal factors influence crime patterns here, though the exact mechanisms remain to be explored.

The most striking shift in January 2026 was the 73.3% decrease in violence and sexual offences, falling from 15 incidents in December to just 4. This reduction, coupled with an 80% drop in other theft (from 5 to 1), suggests a significant decline in targeted crimes during the post-holiday period. Anti-social behaviour remained the most common category, accounting for 33.3% of all reported crimes, but its rate of 0.7 per 1,000 was 25% below the UK average for this category. Bicycle theft was the only crime type in Hexham exceeding the UK average, though the single incident reported represents a minuscule 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly may be attributed to the area's proximity to cycling routes or seasonal recreational use of bikes. The sharp declines in violent and property crimes contrast with the UK's overall trend, where such categories typically remain stable, highlighting Hexham's unique local dynamics.

Hexham's crime rate in January 2026 dropped 58.9% compared to December 2025, falling from 4.9 to 2.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the post-holiday lull in activity typical of smaller towns, where seasonal retail traffic and social events often drive spikes in certain crime types. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day in January, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but remains meaningful for a community of 10,393 people. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 495 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the local population. While this is significantly lower than the UK average, the consistency of Hexham's low crime profile suggests long-term factors—such as community cohesion or local policing strategies—may be at play. The daily figure, though small, illustrates that even minor incidents can be amplified in smaller communities, where trust in local services and awareness of crime patterns are crucial for residents.