Caversham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of Caversham’s population size (33,084 residents), 143 reported crimes in January 2026 translate to a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 — 36.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure underscores the relatively low level of criminal activity in this built-up area within Reading. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.2% of all crimes (56 incidents), followed by shoplifting (25.9%) and criminal damage and arson (8.4%). The dominance of violent crime, while lower than the UK average (2.5 per 1,000), may reflect the area’s urban character and the proximity of high-traffic zones. Shoplifting’s sharp deviation from the UK average (93% above) highlights a localised issue, likely tied to the presence of retail centres in Caversham. Seasonal factors, such as reduced retail footfall and shorter days in January, may have contributed to the lower overall crime rate compared to other months, though violent crime remains a persistent concern. The data also shows that property crimes, including burglary and vehicle crime, are consistently below UK averages — a trend that may be attributed to effective local policing or the area’s demographic profile. These findings illustrate the combination of geography, population density, and crime patterns, requiring careful contextualisation to avoid overgeneralisation.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in robbery, with a 300% rise from one to four incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened activity in specific locations, such as retail areas during post-holiday periods. Other crime also rose by 125%, from four to nine incidents, suggesting potential underreporting or new types of offences emerging. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 87.5%, from eight to one, possibly linked to reduced foot traffic in the post-Christmas period. Shoplifting, at 37 incidents (25.9% of total crimes), remains significantly above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), indicating a localised issue in retail zones. Meanwhile, burglary and other theft both fell, with burglary dropping 70% to three incidents — a trend consistent with the area’s lower-than-average property crime rates. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime in Caversham, where seasonal factors and local demographics may influence patterns.

Caversham’s crime rate remained stable in January 2026, matching the previous month’s figure of 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in local crime patterns, though seasonal factors may have tempered activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 5 reported crimes each day — a figure that, while low, reflects the ongoing presence of crime in a built-up urban setting. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 231 residents, a metric that contextualises the impact of crime on a personal scale. With a population of 33,084, this rate translates to a relatively low monthly exposure compared to other urban areas. The stability contrasts with some categories, such as shoplifting, which saw a significant increase relative to the UK average. However, the overall consistency highlights the effectiveness of local policing or community initiatives, though no specific programmes are mentioned in the data.