Cottenham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cottenham's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 44.1% below the UK average of 6.8. This marked improvement underscores the area's generally low crime profile, a trend likely influenced by its character as a small built-up area with limited commercial density. The most prevalent crime category was burglary, accounting for 23.1% of all reported incidents, followed closely by violence and sexual offences at 23.1%. While burglary rates were significantly higher than the UK average for this category, the overall violent crime rate remained 64% below national levels, reflecting a combination of effective local policing and community factors. Seasonal context plays a key role in shaping these patterns, as January's post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor activities, which may limit opportunities for certain crimes. However, the sharp increase in burglary suggests that targeted measures or environmental factors may require further scrutiny. The relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, both below UK averages, indicate that local initiatives or community cohesion may contribute to maintaining a safer environment. These findings highlight the importance of contextualising crime data within both geographic and temporal frameworks to avoid overgeneralisation.

January 2026 saw a notable 25% decrease in violence and sexual offences, falling from eight to six incidents. This decline aligns with seasonal trends, as post-holiday periods often see reduced public gatherings and retail activity, potentially limiting opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, burglary rates surged by 100%, rising from three to six cases, a figure that is 221% above the UK average for this category. This anomaly may partly reflect targeted activity during the winter months. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 66.7%, from three to five incidents, a trend that could be linked to colder weather driving more indoor disputes or social friction. Shoplifting remained 65% below the UK average, suggesting that local retail environments may have effective deterrents or lower footfall during January.

Cottenham's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 8.3% compared to December 2025, from 3.5 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is modest, it underscores the dynamic nature of local crime trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 6,881. When scaled to the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 265 residents, a statistic that contextualises the impact of crime on the community. This rate remains significantly below the UK average, but the slight upward trend suggests the need for continued monitoring. The population context further highlights that Cottenham's crime picture is shaped by its relatively compact size and likely lower density of commercial or high-traffic areas compared to larger urban centres.