Redcar and Cleveland Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile for Redcar and Cleveland in January 2026 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes, with violent offences accounting for over a third of all reported incidents. At 10.0 per 1,000 residents, the local crime rate is 47.1% above the UK average of 6.8, highlighting a significant divergence from national trends. Violence and sexual offences (33.2% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (16.6%) dominate the crime mix, both far exceeding their UK counterparts—2.5 and 0.9 per 1,000 respectively. This pattern may reflect the area's social dynamics, where densely populated urban centres and industrial zones could contribute to higher levels of interpersonal conflict and disorder. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role: January's post-holiday lull, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall align with a 19.1% drop in shoplifting compared to December, though this was offset by a sharp rise in possession of weapons (+275%) and theft from the person (+200%). The persistence of anti-social behaviour at 83% above the UK average suggests underlying community tensions that may not be directly tied to seasonal shifts. Meanwhile, the relatively low incidence of vehicle crime (19% below UK average) and bicycle theft (100% below) could indicate fewer opportunities for such crimes in this area, due to lower commuter traffic or more secure parking infrastructure. These findings paint a complex picture of a local authority where violent crime and disorder are entrenched challenges, requiring targeted interventions that address both immediate public safety concerns and long-term social factors.

January 2026 saw dramatic swings in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 275% (from 4 to 15 incidents) and theft from the person tripling (from 1 to 3). These sharp increases contrast with declines in shoplifting (-19.1%) and robbery (-50%), suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. The violent crime category remains high, with violence and sexual offences at 3.3 per 1,000—32% above the UK average—while anti-social behaviour, at 1.7 per 1,000, is 83% above the national figure. This stark divergence from UK norms indicates a unique local challenge, possibly linked to socioeconomic factors or community-specific pressures. Other theft (0.4 per 1,000) is 13% below the UK average, a rare positive outlier that could reflect effective local measures or simply lower demand for such crimes. For residents, the 275% spike in weapon possession is a critical red flag, indicating potential escalation in violent incidents that may require urgent police attention and community engagement. This data also underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies that address the root causes of anti-social behaviour and violence, which continue to dominate the local crime profile.

The crime rate in Redcar and Cleveland fell by 5.8% from 10.6 per 1,000 in December 2025 to 10.0 per 1,000 in January 2026, though it remains significantly above the UK average. Over the course of January, 45 crimes were reported daily—a figure that, while local to this area, contextualises the ongoing pressure on local policing resources. On a monthly basis, one crime was reported for roughly every 100 residents, a statistic that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, highlights the density of criminal activity relative to the population. With 139,228 residents, the area's crime rate translates to 1,392 total incidents, a number that would be immediately noticeable to anyone living or working in the district. The decline from December may reflect seasonal patterns, as January's shorter days and post-holiday lull could reduce opportunities for certain crimes, though this was partially offset by spikes in weapon-related incidents. This monthly exposure figure also underscores the need for sustained community policing efforts, as even a modest 5.8% reduction in the overall rate does not eliminate the heightened risk residents face compared to the rest of the UK. The persistent gap between local and national crime rates—particularly in violent and disorder-related offences—suggests deeper structural issues that may require long-term investment in social services and community infrastructure.