Solihull Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences continue to drive the majority of reported crime in Solihull, accounting for 36% of all incidents in January 2026. At 6.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's crime rate is 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000 — a consistent trend for the local authority district. This rate sits below the national benchmark despite the prominence of violent crime, which at 2.3 per 1,000 residents is 8% below the UK average for this category. The data illustrates a combination of local factors and national trends, with shoplifting and vehicle crime emerging as notable outliers. Shoplifting alone accounts for 17% of all reported crimes, with rates 93% above the UK average. This stark contrast highlights the influence of retail environments in the area, where high footfall during holiday periods may have contributed to persistent theft incidents. Seasonal patterns in January — a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours — may partly explain the lower-than-expected levels of outdoor crime. The breakdown also shows vehicle crime at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, 89% above the UK average, suggesting that commuter parking areas or industrial zones may be contributing factors. These figures, combined with the relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime, illustrate a community where violent and property crimes dominate, but where certain categories deviate significantly from national norms. The seasonal context of January, with its reduced retail activity and colder weather, likely influences the types and locations of crimes reported, though further analysis would be required to confirm direct links.

January 2026 saw a 23.6% increase in shoplifting, rising from 195 to 241 incidents — the most significant monthly jump across all crime categories. This surge, coupled with shoplifting's 93% above-average rate, underscores the persistent challenge of retail theft in the area. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour rose by 25%, with reports increasing from 40 to 50. This category's sharp rise contrasts with the 78% below-average rate for anti-social behaviour nationally, suggesting localised tensions or environmental factors contributing to the increase. On the other hand, bicycle theft fell by 42.9%, dropping from seven to four incidents — a decline that may reflect seasonal patterns or efforts by local authorities to address theft in high-risk areas. The data also reveals a shift in crime mix, with violent crime (36% of total) slightly outpacing property crime (64%). Vehicle crime — at 10.4% of all reported incidents — continues to exceed the UK average by 89%, pointing to potential vulnerabilities in car parks or industrial zones. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the sharp rise in shoplifting, which may warrant closer attention from retailers and local enforcement. The 23.6% increase in this category alone accounts for nearly 17% of all crimes reported, highlighting a critical area for intervention.

The crime rate in Solihull dropped by 4.3% from 6.7 per 1,000 in December 2025 to 6.4 per 1,000 in January 2026 — a decline that, while modest, aligns with the seasonal context of reduced retail activity and colder weather. On a daily basis, Solihull recorded approximately 46 crimes per day in January, a figure that, when scaled to the population of 221,242 residents, translates to one reported crime for every 156 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is a useful benchmark for residents, providing a concrete measure of the likelihood of encountering crime in the area. Compared to the UK average, Solihull's overall rate remains 5.9% lower, though this relative safety is not uniform across all categories. For instance, shoplifting and vehicle crime significantly exceed national averages, while anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime are lower. This disparity suggests that local factors — such as the presence of retail hubs or commuter infrastructure — play a more pronounced role in shaping crime patterns than national trends. The 4.3% decrease from the previous month, though small, may reflect the impact of seasonal transitions, with fewer outdoor activities and reduced foot traffic in January compared to the holiday months. For residents, the 1-in-156 monthly exposure figure offers a tangible perspective on crime risk, though this is an aggregate measure and does not account for variations in specific neighbourhoods or crime types.