Peterborough Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a city of over 223,000 residents, Peterborough recorded 2,294 crimes in January 2026, translating to a crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 people—51.5% above the UK average of 6.8. This stark deviation from the national norm highlights the city’s unique crime profile, shaped by its mix of urban and semi-rural areas, as well as its role as a regional hub. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and criminal damage and arson (7.9%). These figures align with patterns often seen in medium-sized cities with significant retail and service sectors, where interpersonal conflicts and property damage can escalate during colder months. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday lulls, shorter daylight hours, and reduced footfall in retail areas—may have contributed to a shift in crime patterns, with fewer outdoor crimes but a persistent focus on violence and anti-social behaviour. This suggests that local factors, such as the density of residential and commercial areas, may play a role in sustaining these crime rates despite broader seasonal trends. The city’s elevated rate of violent crime, particularly in comparison to the UK average, underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, such as the town centre and other densely populated zones.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in certain crime categories, most robbery, which surged by 175% (from 8 to 22 incidents). This jump, while small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened tensions during the post-holiday period or specific incidents that drew police attention. Possession of weapons also rose by 48.4% (31 to 46), a figure that aligns with the city’s broader pattern of anti-social behaviour and violent crime. Vehicle crime climbed by 31.9% (69 to 91), a rise that could be linked to the city’s sprawling urban layout and the increased presence of parked vehicles in residential areas. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 15.8% (19 to 16), due to seasonal factors such as reduced cycling during colder weather. Violence and sexual offences in Peterborough were 68% above the UK average, with 4.2 per 1,000 residents affected—a rate that suggests the city faces particular challenges in addressing violent crime compared to national trends.

For context, Peterborough’s crime rate in January 2026 rose to 10.3 per 1,000 residents, a 9.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 9.4. This translates to roughly 74 crimes reported each day in the city, a figure that underscores the persistent demand on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 97 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the density of incidents in a population of 223,655. While this monthly aggregate does not capture the full rhythm of daily life, it highlights the scale of activity relative to the city’s size. For residents, this means that the likelihood of encountering a crime—whether violent, property-related, or anti-social—is higher than the UK average, with specific categories such as violence and sexual offences standing out as common. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Peterborough’s crime profile, while not extreme, requires ongoing attention from both authorities and the community.