Wem Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Wem's crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents placed it 44.1% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This low rate translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime per 31 days for the area's 6,299 residents. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, contributing 45.8% of the 24 total crimes reported, followed by 'other crime' (16.7%) and criminal damage and arson (12.5%). Seasonal factors likely contributed to the pattern, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may limit opportunities for outdoor crimes. The UK comparison highlights Wem's relative safety, particularly in violent crime categories where local rates were 28% below the national average. However, the 'other crime' category showed an anomaly, with a 275% increase compared to the UK average. This could reflect localized issues such as unregulated activities or underreported incidents. The overall profile suggests a community with lower exposure to typical urban crime risks, though targeted categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences remain areas for monitoring.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to December 2025. Criminal damage and arson cases surged by 100%, rising from zero to three incidents, while possession of weapons and 'other crime' also increased by 100% from zero to one and four cases respectively. These spikes may indicate emerging risks or underreported issues in specific sectors. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and burglary both fell by 50%, aligning with the post-holiday lull typical of January. The crime mix shifted significantly: violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category (45.8%), but their rate of 1.8 per 1,000 was 28% below the UK average, suggesting Wem's approach to managing violent crime may be effective. 'other crime' at 0.6 per 1,000 was 275% above the UK average, a stark contrast that warrants closer examination. For residents, the 50% drop in anti-social behaviour offers a tangible benefit, reflecting improved community engagement or seasonal factors. However, the sharp rise in 'other crime' and criminal damage highlights areas where local initiatives or policing strategies may need re-evaluation.

Wem's crime rate in January 2026 (3.8 per 1,000) marked a 26.2% increase from December 2025's 3.0 per 1,000. Despite this rise, the area remains 44.1% below the UK average, emphasizing its continued status as a relatively safe built-up area. On a daily basis, the 24 crimes reported over 31 days equate to roughly one crime per day, a frequency that would be uncommon in larger urban centres. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 262 residents over the course of the month—a statistic that underscores the low baseline risk for Wem's inhabitants. The previous month's rate (3.0 per 1,000) was already significantly below the UK average, meaning the January increase still leaves Wem 3.8 per 1,000 compared to the national 6.8. This context is critical for residents: even with the 26% rise, the area's crime profile remains far more favourable than the UK average. The daily and monthly exposure figures provide a practical benchmark, showing that while crime rates fluctuate, the overall risk remains minimal compared to larger, more densely populated regions.