Stafford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Stafford's per-capita crime rate stood at 5.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it 10.6% below the UK average of 6.6. This translates to a local risk profile where, on average, one resident in every 170 experienced a reported crime over the course of the month. The data highlights a distinct pattern in crime types: violence and sexual offences dominated with 372 incidents (44.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.3%) and shoplifting (6.6%). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal crime and disorder, potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as shorter daylight hours and post-holiday transitions. While violence rates in Stafford were 7% above the UK average, other categories like burglary (64% below UK average) and vehicle crime (19% below UK average) showed marked reductions. This contrasts with the 27% UK-wide average for shoplifting, where Stafford's rate was lower. The seasonal context of January—characterised by reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor activities—may partly explain the lower prevalence of property crimes compared to busier months. However, the persistence of violence and anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing challenges in community safety that transcend seasonal fluctuations. The local profile appears to balance a mix of urban and suburban characteristics, where high-street retail and community hubs may drive certain crime types, while broader economic or social factors influence others.

January 2026 saw stark month-on-month shifts in Stafford's crime profile. Vehicle crime surged by 176.9%, rising from 13 to 36 incidents—a jump that may reflect increased car-related activity during colder weather or changes in parking patterns. Robbery also increased by 25%, with five incidents reported, while bicycle theft rose by 25% to 10 cases. These increases contrast with declines in burglary (down 52.5% to 19 cases) and criminal damage and arson (down 41.6% to 52 cases). The drop in burglary may align with post-holiday seasonal trends, as festive activity wanes and homes become less vulnerable to opportunistic theft. Stafford's violence and sexual offences rate (2.6 per 1,000) was 7% above the UK average, despite the overall crime rate being lower. Conversely, shoplifting in Stafford was 27% below the UK average, due to effective retail security measures or reduced foot traffic. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, was 12% below the UK average, suggesting community efforts may be yielding results in managing public disorder. For residents, the daily crime count of 27 incidents offers a concrete reference point—roughly equivalent to one crime every 170 residents over the month, a figure that contextualises risk without exaggeration.

Stafford's crime rate in January 2026 (5.9 per 1,000) marked a 10.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.5, indicating a downward trend in overall crime. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as January typically sees reduced retail activity and fewer outdoor crimes compared to busier periods. When scaled to daily figures, the 833 total crimes reported in January equate to approximately 27 incidents per day—a rate that, while non-trivial, remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, the 1-in-170 resident exposure figure illustrates that most residents experienced no crime, but for those affected, the impact was concentrated in specific areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Stafford's crime profile is not uniformly distributed: while violence and sexual offences remain elevated compared to the UK average, categories like burglary and vehicle crime are markedly lower. This contrast suggests that local factors—such as community policing strategies, retail security, or demographic characteristics—play a significant role in shaping crime patterns. The previous month's rate of 6.5 per 1,000 provides a useful benchmark, showing that Stafford's current rate is not only below the UK average but also improving on its own recent performance. These comparative metrics offer a nuanced view of safety, highlighting both areas of strength and persistent challenges in maintaining low crime levels.