Oswestry Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Oswestry's crime picture in January 2026, comprising half of all reported crimes. At 8.0 per 1,000 residents, the area's crime rate is 17.6% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a disparity that underscores the region's unique challenges. This spike in violent crime contrasts with the UK's generally lower rates for this category, which stands at 2.5 per 1,000. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may likely contribute to the elevated levels of violence, though the town's historical character as a market town with a mix of residential and commercial zones could also play a role. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences further amplify the profile, with both categories significantly exceeding UK averages. The data suggests a combination of local demographics and seasonal patterns, though the absence of specific initiatives or external factors means any analysis must remain grounded in the numbers themselves. While property crimes remain relatively low compared to violent incidents, the breakdown highlights a stark contrast in the nature of criminal activity, with interpersonal violence far outpacing theft or burglary. This profile may reflect Oswestry's position as a smaller built-up area within Shropshire, where community dynamics and proximity to larger urban centres like Shrewsbury might influence crime trends.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 140% increase in public order offences, rising from 5 to 12 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% jump in possession of weapons offences (from 0 to 1), signals a sharp shift in the crime mix compared to the previous month. Conversely, other theft offences fell by 80%, declining from 10 to 2, a drop that may reflect changes in retail activity or seasonal factors. The category of violence and sexual offences, at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, is 60% above the UK average, a stark deviation that warrants attention. Meanwhile, shoplifting remains an anomaly in the data, with Oswestry's rate of 0.5 per 1,000 sitting 12% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This contrast suggests that while violent crime dominates the local picture, certain property-related offences are performing below national levels. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the 140% rise in public order incidents, which may indicate heightened tensions in communal spaces or a response to specific events. These figures highlight the need for targeted policing strategies in areas where public order issues are concentrated, while also demonstrating that not all crime categories are trending upwards.

Oswestry's crime rate in January 2026 rose 19.6% from the previous month's rate of 6.7 per 1,000, reaching 8.0 per 1,000. This increase places the area's daily crime count at approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that, while low in absolute terms, reflects the concentrated nature of reported incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 125 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average, highlights the localised intensity of crime in Oswestry. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area's crime rate is higher than the UK average, particularly in violent crime categories. With 17,554 residents, the 140 total crimes reported represent a significant proportion of the population, especially when considering the breakdown of violent offences. This rate is higher than the UK's overall average, suggesting that Oswestry's built-up area may face unique challenges not fully captured by national statistics. The comparison to the previous month's data underscores a recent upward trend, though the daily crime count remains relatively modest. These figures, when contextualised within the area's population and crime mix, illustrate a localised pattern that diverges from broader UK trends, particularly in the prevalence of violence and public order issues.