Rugby Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The balance between property and violent crime in January 2026 reveals a distinct pattern in Rugby’s crime profile. With a total crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents — 21.2% below the UK average of 6.6 — the data highlights a significant dominance of violent crime over property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.3% of all reported crimes, the highest proportion in the breakdown, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.9%) and shoplifting (8.0%). This contrast with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 18% of all crimes, suggests a local factor influencing the disparity. Seasonal context may partly explain the pattern: January, a post-holiday month with reduced retail footfall and shorter days, typically sees lower levels of property crime such as shoplifting and vehicle crime. However, the higher incidence of violent crime in Rugby compared to the UK average could reflect local dynamics, such as community interactions or specific events during the month. The relatively low rates of burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) align with Rugby’s character as a mid-sized town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where property crime may be less prevalent than in more densely populated or tourist-heavy regions. The data also shows shoplifting rates in Rugby are 27% below the UK average, consistent with the reduced retail activity typical of January, though the higher proportion of violent crime remains an area warranting further consideration in the context of local demographics and community safety initiatives.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime categories, with anti-social behaviour increasing by 38.1% (97 to 134) and public order offences rising by 60.7% (28 to 45). These increases suggest a potential uptick in community tensions or disruptions during the post-holiday period. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 54.2% (24 to 11), and bicycle theft dropped by 50.0% (8 to 4), possibly reflecting seasonal factors such as fewer outdoor activities or reduced opportunities for theft during colder weather. The violent crime category, while not showing a direct month-on-month percentage change, remained the largest single category, with violence and sexual offences at 2.0 per 1,000 — 18% below the UK average. This contrast with the UK trend is particularly pronounced in anti-social behaviour, which in Rugby was 21% above the national average (1.1 vs 0.9 per 1,000). The sharp rise in 'other crime' (+250.0%, from 6 to 21) may indicate underreported or newly emerging types of offences, though further analysis is needed to identify specific patterns. For residents, the 27% lower shoplifting rate compared to the UK average offers a concrete point of comparison, suggesting that local retail areas may be less targeted during January, due to the holiday season’s impact on consumer activity.

Rugby’s crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 5.1. This small upward trend, however, remains well below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 21 crimes per day — a figure that, while not insignificant, is manageable for a town of Rugby’s population (122,378). Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 191 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable towns. This statistic provides context for residents: while the average resident has a 1-in-191 chance of being directly affected by crime in a given month, the distribution of crime types suggests that the risk is more concentrated in specific categories, such as anti-social behaviour and violence. The population-scaled perspective also highlights Rugby’s relative safety compared to the UK average, with the town’s overall crime rate remaining 21.2% below national levels. This comparison is particularly relevant for families and businesses considering relocation or investment in the area, as it underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts and the potential for continued improvement in public safety.