South Gloucestershire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

South Gloucestershire's overall crime rate for January 2026 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, a figure 3.0% below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. This slight improvement positions the area as one of the safer local authority districts in the country, though the rate remains within the national context of fluctuating crime trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.3% of all reported incidents—2.7 per 1,000 residents. This category was 11% above the UK average, reflecting challenges in addressing violent crime in the region. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 10.3% of total crimes, yet performing 23% below the UK average. The seasonal context of January, marked by post-holiday retail quiet and shorter daylight hours, likely contributed to reduced outdoor crime but may have shifted activity to indoor spaces, where violence and sexual offences are more concentrated. Shoplifting, at 8.9% of total crimes, was 9% above the UK average, a trend that may be linked to the area's retail presence, though January's lower footfall appears to have mitigated some of the usual pressures. The balance between property and violent crime in South Gloucestershire shows a distinct profile compared to other regions, with violent crime dominating the mix. This pattern may be influenced by the area's mix of suburban and rural landscapes, where community dynamics and policing strategies differ from more densely populated urban centres.

January 2026 saw notable decreases in shoplifting, with a 16.7% reduction from 209 to 174 incidents, potentially linked to post-holiday retail footfall declines. Theft from the person fell by 50%, from 2 to 1, a sharp drop that may reflect heightened public awareness or seasonal factors. Conversely, vehicle crime surged by 30.9%, rising from 68 to 89 incidents—a trend that contrasts with the UK average, where vehicle crime was 19% lower. Violence and sexual offences remained 11% above the UK average, at 2.7 per 1,000, highlighting persistent challenges in this category. The increase in 'other crime' by 21.1%, from 38 to 46, suggests a need for further analysis of unclassified incidents. Residents may find the 30.9% rise in vehicle crime particularly concerning, given its impact on daily commutes and parking areas.

South Gloucestershire's crime rate rose slightly in January 2026, increasing by 3.1% from 6.2 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2025. This monthly increase aligns with seasonal patterns typical for the post-holiday period, where retail footfall declines and outdoor activity shifts indoors. Locally, 63 crimes were reported each day on average, a figure that contextualises the daily risk residents face. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 156 residents, a ratio that highlights the relative safety of the area despite the slight upward trend. This monthly exposure figure is particularly useful for understanding the scale of crime in relation to the population of 306,332. While the rate remains below the UK average, the shift in crime mix—particularly the rise in vehicle crime—suggests evolving patterns that warrant closer attention to local factors such as traffic density and parking habits.