Oakham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Oakham's crime profile in January 2026 shows a clear dominance of property crimes over violent incidents, a pattern consistent with its character as a built-up area within Rutland’s rural framework. With a total crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents—42.6% below the UK average—Oakham remains safer than the national average. Property crimes accounted for 43.9% of all recorded incidents (25 out of 57), while violent crimes made up 29.8% (17 cases). This imbalance may partly explain the area’s lower overall rate, as property crimes often occur in commercial zones with predictable patterns, whereas violent crime typically clusters in high-traffic or high-risk areas. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the lower frequency of outdoor crimes. However, the persistence of shoplifting as the second-most common crime type (12 cases) suggests vulnerabilities in retail security, even during slower months. Violence and sexual offences, though below UK levels, remain a concern, with 17 incidents reported, equivalent to 1.2 per 1,000 residents. The data indicates a generally stable environment, but the concentration of property crimes highlights the need for targeted measures in commercial districts. This pattern aligns with Rutland’s broader demographic profile, where rural isolation and smaller population density tend to suppress overall crime rates compared to densely populated urban centres.

January 2026 saw sharp month-on-month increases in shoplifting (+71.4%) and vehicle crime (+100%), while burglary and criminal damage and arson both declined. These shifts reflect seasonal dynamics and local factors: the post-holiday period may have reduced retail footfall, yet shoplifting incidents still rose, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in store security protocols or opportunistic behaviour during quieter hours. Conversely, the 50% drop in burglary could be linked to colder weather, which may deter outdoor crimes. Violent crime, though remaining 52% below the UK average (2.5 per 1,000), saw no significant change, maintaining its position as the most common category in absolute terms. Shoplifting’s rate (0.8 per 1,000) was 40% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the 38% reduction in criminal damage and arson (0.3 per 1,000 vs 0.5 per 1,000 nationally). For residents, the 71.4% spike in shoplifting—rising from 7 to 12 incidents—may warrant closer attention to local retail security practices. Meanwhile, the 33.3% decrease in public order offences (from 3 to 2 cases) could indicate effective community policing efforts or natural declines during the winter months.

Oakham’s crime rate in January 2026 (3.9 per 1,000) marked a 6.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.2 per 1,000, reflecting a gradual decline in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety. When scaled to the population of 14,664, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 257 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable urban areas. This statistic underscores Oakham’s position as a relatively low-risk environment, particularly when compared to the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the rarity of crime in this built-up area, where 3.9 per 1,000 is a stark contrast to the national norm. While the monthly exposure rate is a useful metric for understanding risk, it does not account for the distribution of crimes across different types or locations. Residents may find value in comparing these figures to historical data to identify long-term trends, though the current month’s numbers suggest a continued period of stability in Oakham’s crime profile.