Melbourne (South Derbyshire) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Melbourne (South Derbyshire) during January 2026 reveals a distinct pattern shaped by the area’s character as a built-up district within a rural county. With a crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents — 52.9% below the UK average — the profile of crime here contrasts sharply with national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominate, making up 41.2% of all reported crimes, followed by vehicle crime, other theft, and burglary, each accounting for 11.8% of the total. This balance suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts and vehicle-related incidents are more prominent than property crimes typically associated with urban centres. The seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail activity, likely contributes to this mix. While outdoor crimes such as theft from the person or public order issues are less common in this area compared to the UK average, the prominence of violence may reflect local social dynamics or the influence of seasonal factors such as colder weather limiting outdoor activities. The relatively low overall crime rate aligns with the area’s rural character, where lower population density and community cohesion may serve as natural deterrents to crime. However, the share of violent crimes remains a notable aspect, indicating the need for targeted community engagement or policing strategies. This profile also highlights the importance of contextual factors: for instance, the absence of major retail hubs or nightlife districts may explain the lower incidence of theft from the person or public order offences compared to more densely populated regions. The balance between property and violent crime here offers a window into the unique interplay of geography, demographics, and local rhythms that define this part of South Derbyshire.

January 2026 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime, other theft, and bicycle theft each rising by 100% compared to December 2025. This sharp increase in vehicle-related offences may be linked to seasonal shifts, such as colder weather prompting more vehicle usage or the post-holiday period seeing increased travel. Conversely, public order offences fell by 66.7%, a decline that could reflect reduced foot traffic in local areas during January, due to shorter daylight hours and the closure of seasonal attractions. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Melbourne are 48% below the national rate, a figure that may partly explain the overall lower crime rate for the area. However, burglary and bicycle theft are notable exceptions, with burglary rates 43% above the UK average and bicycle theft 300% above — a disparity that could indicate local vulnerabilities, such as a higher proportion of residents owning bicycles or less secure parking infrastructure. For residents, the 100% increase in bicycle theft is a concrete data point that may prompt action, such as installing better locks or reporting suspicious activity. These shifts underscore how specific local factors — from transportation habits to seasonal patterns — can drive variations in crime types, even within a broader context of relative safety.

The crime rate in Melbourne (South Derbyshire) rose by 30.9% from December 2025’s 2.4 per 1,000 to January 2026’s 3.2 per 1,000, a change that places the area in a slightly higher risk bracket compared to the previous month. However, even with this increase, the daily crime count remains low: 17 total crimes over 31 days equate to roughly 1 crime per day, a figure that is significantly lower than the UK average. On a monthly basis, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 314 residents — a statistic that, while illustrative of the area’s low overall crime rate, may be less meaningful to individual residents who are more likely to be concerned with specific local incidents than broad averages. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the area’s small size: with 5,345 residents, even a single crime can feel impactful. This context is important for understanding how crime rates, while useful for comparative analysis, may not always reflect the lived experience of residents. For instance, the 30.9% increase from December may be attributed to seasonal factors such as post-holiday activity or the timing of local events, rather than a sustained rise in criminal activity. The comparison to the UK average further reinforces Melbourne’s position as an area with lower crime rates, particularly in violent offences, though the higher rates for burglary and bicycle theft suggest targeted efforts may be needed in those areas.