Whitburn Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Whitburn’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 2.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure 69.1% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s generally low crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.4% of all crimes, with four incidents reported, while other crime and anti-social behaviour each contributed 27.3% of the total. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely influenced these figures, as outdoor crimes typically decline during this time. The area’s compact, built-up nature may also contribute to its lower overall crime rate, with community visibility and local policing potentially playing a role in deterrence. However, the anomaly in other crime, which was 275% above the UK average, suggests that certain localised factors, such as unaddressed community tensions or specific incidents, may have temporarily elevated this category. Anti-social behaviour, though 35% below the UK average, saw a doubling in January compared to December, illustrating the month-to-month volatility that can characterise smaller communities. The low shoplifting rate, 65% below the UK average, further aligns with the reduced retail activity typical of January. These figures collectively illustrate an area with generally low crime levels, but one where specific categories can fluctuate significantly in response to seasonal and local conditions.

January 2026 saw a marked shift in crime patterns, with other crime and anti-social behaviour both doubling compared to the previous month. Other crime rose from one to three incidents, while anti-social behaviour increased from zero to three, suggesting a potential uptick in community tensions or unaddressed local issues. This contrasts with a significant 87.5% drop in shoplifting, which fell from eight to one incident, likely tied to reduced retail activity during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 33.3%, from six to four, though this category remains 68% below the UK average. Other crime in Whitburn was 275% above the UK average, highlighting a localised anomaly that may warrant further scrutiny. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of seasonal factors and local conditions in shaping crime trends.

Whitburn's crime rate in January 2026 dropped by 42.1% from the previous month, falling to 2.1 per 1,000 residents from 3.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical for January, when shorter daylight hours and post-holiday retail quietude may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately zero crimes per day in January, reflecting a stark contrast to the average for similar urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 476 residents, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents in a community of just over 5,000 people. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low risk of encountering crime for residents, though such statistics do not account for unreported incidents. The reduction in overall crime rate may also reflect the area’s compact, built-up nature, where community visibility and local policing efforts can amplify deterrence effects.