Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Sunbury-on-Thames' crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents in January 2026 places it 16.2% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This discrepancy reflects a combination of local factors and national trends, with violence and sexual offences (65 incidents, 39.2% of total) dominating the crime profile. The area's elevated rate contrasts with the UK average for public order offences, which are 138% above the national figure (20 incidents, 12.1% of total). Seasonal patterns appear to influence these figures, with January's post-holiday period and shorter days likely contributing to reduced outdoor crimes but increased indoor disturbances. The UK average for violent crime is 2.5 per 1,000, yet Sunbury-on-Thames reports 3.1 per 1,000, a 24% gap that may be linked to local demographics or environmental factors. The area's crime profile also shows a sharp contrast with the UK average for anti-social behaviour, which is 25% below the national rate (0.7 vs 0.9 per 1,000). This anomaly may stem from the built-up nature of Sunbury-on-Thames, where community policing efforts or local initiatives could be more effective. However, the significant rise in public order offences (122.2% increase from December) suggests that seasonal transitions, such as colder weather driving more indoor socialising, could be a contributing factor. The data also highlights the area's relatively low shoplifting rates (0.1 per 1,000, 82% below the UK average), due to reduced retail footfall during January. These patterns illustrate the need for nuanced analysis that balances local conditions with broader national trends.

The most striking month-on-month change was a 122.2% increase in public order offences, rising from 9 to 20 incidents. This spike, combined with a 70% rise in criminal damage and arson, suggests shifts in community behaviour or enforcement patterns during January. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.2% of total crimes, significantly higher than the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 (24% above). Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 50%, from 4 to 2 incidents, aligning with the seasonal context of reduced retail footfall and shorter days. The decrease in theft from the person by 66.7% (3 to 1) may reflect lower pedestrian activity in the cold weather. Anti-social behaviour remained below the UK average (25% below), a contrast to the sharp rises in other categories. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and crime trends.

Sunbury-on-Thames' crime rate in January 2026 rose by 3.2% compared to December 2025, moving from 7.6 to 7.9 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, places the area 16.2% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 5 incidents per day over the month, translating to one reported crime for every 127 residents. This monthly exposure figure provides context for residents: over 31 days, the likelihood of a crime occurring near an individual is roughly 1 in 127. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes (166) remains relatively low compared to larger urban areas. The shift in crime mix from December to January shows a notable rise in public order offences, which may reflect seasonal patterns such as colder weather driving more indoor gatherings or post-holiday social dynamics. These figures underscore the need for targeted local interventions without overstating the scale of the issue.