Peterborough Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 223,655 residents, Peterborough recorded 1,946 crimes in January 2025, equating to 8.7 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 22.5% higher than the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant deviations in recent months. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.1%). These figures align with January’s typical seasonal context: a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall, which may partly explain the elevated rates of violent crime compared to other months. Anti-social behaviour, which is 43% above the UK average, could reflect increased tensions during colder weather or holiday-related disruptions. Meanwhile, the rate of violent crime—3.3 per 1,000 residents—exceeds the UK average by 31%, a trend consistent with Peterborough’s status as a regional hub with a mix of urban and suburban areas. Seasonal factors, such as reduced daylight hours and potential spikes in alcohol-related incidents during the post-Christmas period, may have contributed to this pattern. However, direct causation, and other local dynamics, such as community events or policing strategies, could also play a role.

January 2025 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 92% compared to the previous month, the highest single-category increase recorded. This jump—from 25 to 48 incidents—raises questions about potential changes in local dynamics. Bicycle theft also surged by 72.7%, from 11 to 19, possibly linked to seasonal shifts in outdoor activity or targeted criminal behaviour. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 26.7%, likely due to reduced foot traffic and fewer opportunities for theft during colder weather. Other notable changes include a 47.8% rise in 'other crime', which may encompass a range of unclassified incidents, and a 21.1% decline in robbery, reflecting improved policing or public awareness in high-risk areas. The data also highlights Peterborough’s stark divergence from the UK average in several categories: violence and sexual offences are 31% above the national rate, while vehicle crime is 27% below. This contrast underscores the area’s unique characteristics, such as its mix of urban and rural environments, which may influence crime patterns differently than more densely populated regions.

Peterborough’s crime rate remained stable in January 2025, increasing by just 1.0% compared to the previous month’s rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 63 crimes per day, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents in local communities. Over the course of the month, 1 crime was reported for every 115 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the population. With a population of over 223,000, this translates to a relatively high number of incidents per capita, particularly when compared to the UK average. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, such as the steep rise in weapon possession and the significant drop in vehicle crime. These variations highlight the need to consider local factors, such as targeted interventions or seasonal influences, when interpreting the data. While the daily crime count and monthly exposure rate offer a snapshot of Peterborough’s current situation, they do not account for broader regional trends or the effectiveness of long-term crime prevention strategies in the area.