Ashford (Spelthorne) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ashford (Spelthorne) recorded a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 29.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area's relatively low crime profile compared to national benchmarks, though the breakdown of incidents reveals a complex picture. Violence and sexual offences were the most common category, accounting for 35.9% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (15.4%) and anti-social behaviour (13.7%). These rates align with the seasonal context of January, a month marked by post-holiday reduced retail footfall and shorter days, which may contribute to lower overall crime levels. The area's built-up nature within Spelthorne—a rural district—likely influences these patterns, as urban centres typically see higher rates of property crime and public order offences. However, Ashford's figures for violent crime and shoplifting remain lower than UK averages, suggesting effective local measures or demographic factors such as a stable population. The decline in vehicle crime, which fell to two incidents from nine in December, may be linked to seasonal factors. Meanwhile, the rise in anti-social behaviour, though modest, could reflect changes in community dynamics or the impact of post-holiday social activity. These trends illustrate the interplay between local characteristics and broader national patterns, offering insight into the area's unique crime profile.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 77.8% decrease in vehicle crime, with incidents falling from nine to two. This sharp decline may be linked to seasonal factors, such as colder weather reducing outdoor activity or fewer vehicles on the road during the post-holiday period. Conversely, anti-social behaviour increased by 23.1%, rising from 13 to 16 incidents, a trend that contrasts with the overall downward trajectory in crime. Shoplifting also rose slightly by 5.9%, though it remained 23% below the UK average at 0.7 per 1,000. This suggests that while local retail areas may still face challenges, they are not experiencing the same levels of theft as other parts of the country. The violent crime category, which accounted for 35.9% of all incidents, was 32% below the UK average, indicating a relatively safer environment for residents compared to national trends. These shifts highlight the nuanced nature of crime patterns, where some categories decline sharply while others show modest increases.

The crime rate in Ashford (Spelthorne) for January 2026 fell by 26.3% compared to the previous month, reflecting a significant decline from 6.5 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with the typical post-holiday lull, as shorter days and reduced retail activity may have limited opportunities for certain offences. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately four crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 208 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of crime in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 24,339, this suggests that the majority of residents experienced no direct involvement in crime, though the distribution of these incidents across the community. The drop in vehicle crime by 77.8%—from nine to two incidents—may indicate seasonal factors, such as reduced traffic or fewer outdoor activities during colder weather.