Somerset Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Somerset’s overall crime rate in January 2026 stood at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 5.9% above the UK’s average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of local factors and broader national trends, with the area’s crime profile shaped by its demographic and geographic characteristics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 44.5% of all reported incidents—a share significantly higher than the UK average of 28% for this category. This concentration of violent crime may be influenced by the area’s mix of urban and rural settings, where population density and social dynamics can contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, made up 11.8% of all incidents, slightly below the UK average of 12.4%, suggesting that local efforts in community policing or environmental design may have had some effect in curbing such behaviour. Shoplifting, at 9.4% of all crimes, also exceeded the UK average by 23%, linked to the presence of retail hubs in the area. Seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period in January, likely contributed to the overall crime rate, as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may have influenced patterns of both property and violent crime. The data highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly those associated with violence and sexual offences, while also acknowledging the relative success in keeping anti-social behaviour below national levels.

January 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Robbery increased by 121.1%, jumping from 38 to 84 incidents—a dramatic rise that could reflect heightened vulnerability in certain areas or changes in policing focus. Concurrently, vehicle crime surged by 45.1%, rising from 82 to 119, a trend that may be linked to increased vehicle movement during post-holiday periods or shifts in criminal targeting. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 36.4%, from 11 to 7 incidents, due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during January’s shorter days. The breakdown also reveals stark contrasts with UK averages: violence and sexual offences in Somerset are 28% higher than the UK average, while vehicle crime is 46% below. These divergences underscore the area’s unique crime profile, with local factors such as population density and economic activity likely playing a role. Residents may find the 46% UK-wide deficit in vehicle crime particularly relevant, as it suggests a lower risk in this category compared to the rest of the country.

In January 2026, Somerset’s crime rate remained stable at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a 1.5% decrease from December’s 7.3 per 1,000. This suggests no significant month-on-month shift in overall criminal activity, though local patterns may reflect seasonal rhythms. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 136 crimes per day, highlighting the frequency of incidents even as the rate holds steady. When considering the population of 588,328, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 140 residents—a figure that contextualises the scale of crime in terms of individual risk. This metric may help residents gauge their likelihood of encountering crime compared to national averages, though Somerset’s rate remains 5.9% above the UK’s overall average. The consistency in the crime rate over the past month contrasts with variations in specific crime types, such as the sharp rise in robbery and vehicle crime, which will be explored in the highlights section.