Northumberland Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Northumberland’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 2.5 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 63.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends highlights the region’s unique crime profile, shaped by its rural geography and seasonal rhythms. The most common crimes were anti-social behaviour (41.2% of all incidents), violence and sexual offences (25.7%), and criminal damage and arson (6.7%). While anti-social behaviour exceeded the UK average for this category by 8%, violent crimes were 72% below the national figure, a disparity consistent with Northumberland’s sparse population and limited urban centres. The post-holiday period in January likely contributed to the subdued levels of retail-related crimes, with shoplifting and vehicle crime both falling well below UK averages. However, the prominence of anti-social behaviour suggests localised challenges that may be linked to the area’s social fabric and seasonal isolation. The low crime rate overall aligns with Northumberland’s character as a predominantly rural district, where outdoor activity is constrained by shorter daylight hours and limited public spaces. This context may also explain the relatively low incidence of theft from the person, which, while showing a modest 50% increase, remained an isolated category compared to the broader crime profile. The seasonal context of January—marked by reduced foot traffic and colder temperatures—further reinforces the idea that environmental factors play a significant role in shaping the region’s crime patterns.

January 2026 saw a 50.0% increase in theft from the person, rising from 2 to 3 incidents. This contrasted sharply with a 91.7% decline in bicycle theft, which fell from 12 to 1, likely influenced by the post-holiday period and reduced outdoor activity. Possession of weapons also dropped by 82.4% (17 to 3), while other theft decreased by 80.7% (140 to 27). These shifts highlight a crime mix skewed towards anti-social behaviour (41.2% of total) and violence (25.7%), which remain significantly below UK averages for their respective categories. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.0 per 1,000, was 8% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000, suggesting localised pressures that may relate to the area’s rural character and seasonal dynamics. Meanwhile, violent crimes in Northumberland were 72% below the UK rate, a disparity that could reflect the region’s lower population density and limited nightlife infrastructure.

Northumberland's crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 61.7% compared to December's 6.6 per 1,000, reflecting a marked shift in local crime dynamics. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of the region, where post-holiday periods and shorter daylight hours may reduce opportunities for outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 27 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 839 incidents. When scaled to the population of 331,420, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 395 residents over the course of the month. Such a low monthly exposure rate underscores the area’s relative safety compared to the UK average, though this figure represents a monthly aggregate and does not account for fluctuations that may occur on a daily or weekly basis. The population-scaled perspective also highlights how infrequent crime is in Northumberland, even during a month typically associated with reduced retail activity and lower foot traffic.