Powys Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Powys’ crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, 16.7% below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. This overall figure masks significant variations in specific crime categories, with violence and sexual offences emerging as the most prominent concern. At 383 incidents, this category accounted for 51.8% of all crimes, a rate of 2.8 per 1,000—15% above the UK average. This outlier underscores a localised challenge, possibly linked to Powys’ rural character and the limited availability of social services or community support networks that might otherwise mitigate such incidents. In contrast, anti-social behaviour rates were 56% below the UK average, a trend that may reflect the area’s lower population density and reduced opportunities for group-based misconduct. Seasonal factors likely played a role: January’s post-holiday period, shorter days, and reduced retail activity align with the lower rates of shoplifting (82% below the UK average) and other theft-related crimes. However, the sharp rise in robbery and vehicle crime suggests other influences, such as colder weather increasing the likelihood of unattended vehicles or shifts in criminal focus during quieter months. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted, with violent crimes dominating the landscape at 51.8% of total incidents, compared to property crimes at 24.3%. This mix is consistent with Powys’ profile as a largely rural area, where interpersonal conflicts may be more pronounced than in urban centres, though the exact drivers remain to be explored. The data also highlights the importance of contextualising crime rates within the broader UK framework, as local conditions can significantly alter the impact of national trends.

January 2026 saw a 300% increase in robbery, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, a stark contrast to the 100% rise in vehicle crime (10 to 20). These spikes, though relatively small in absolute terms, signal potential shifts in criminal activity patterns. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 21.1% (19 to 15), a decline consistent with the post-holiday period and reduced retail footfall typical of January. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, remain 15% above the UK average at 2.8 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour rates are 56% lower than the UK figure. This divergence suggests local factors—such as community engagement or policing strategies—may be influencing specific crime types. A resident might note that vehicle crime doubled, linked to increased unattended vehicles during colder weather or changes in local transport patterns.

Powys' crime rate in January 2026 rose by 21.8% compared to the previous month, increasing from 4.5 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This shift reflects a notable upward trend despite the area’s overall rate remaining 16.7% below the UK average. On a daily basis, Powys recorded an average of 24 crimes per day in January, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a localised timeframe. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 183 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents relative to the population. This metric, while seemingly low, highlights the persistent nature of crime in the area, particularly in categories like violence and sexual offences, which remain high compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Powys’ crime profile is shaped by a combination of local factors, including seasonal transitions and community dynamics, which may contribute to the observed shifts in crime patterns.