Stratford-on-Avon Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

January 2026 marked a 12.7% increase in Stratford-on-Avon’s overall crime rate compared to December, rising from 4.4 to 5.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. Despite this monthly uptick, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with its rate 24.2% below the national figure of 6.6 per 1,000. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (36% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.8%) and shoplifting (9.4%). These patterns align with Stratford-on-Avon’s character as a historic market town with a mix of rural and urban areas, where seasonal factors like post-holiday periods and reduced retail footfall may influence crime trends. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most prevalent category, were 26% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the town’s relatively stable community dynamics. Shoplifting rates also remained lower than the UK average, linked to the town’s smaller retail footprint compared to major cities. The data also shows a seasonal dip in outdoor crimes, consistent with shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures typical of January. While the overall rate rose, the area’s crime profile continues to contrast sharply with the UK average, highlighting a persistent trend of lower crime levels in this historically significant region.

January 2026 saw stark shifts in specific crime categories, with bicycle theft surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents) and possession of weapons rising by 275% (from 4 to 15). These increases, though small in absolute terms, may signal emerging patterns, such as heightened indoor activity during colder weather contributing to bicycle theft or increased tensions linked to the possession of weapons. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 27.3% (from 33 to 24), possibly due to reduced commuter traffic during the post-holiday lull. Drug-related crimes also declined by 10%, aligning with the seasonal dip in nightlife activity typical of January. Stratford-on-Avon’s violent crime rate (1.8 per 1,000) remained 26% below the UK average, suggesting that community-focused policing or the town’s historical character may play a role in mitigating such incidents. However, burglary rates (0.3 per 1,000) were 7% above the UK average, a slight anomaly that could reflect the town’s mix of older residential properties and rural homes, which may be more vulnerable to targeted attacks. These fluctuations underscore the complexity of local crime dynamics, where specific factors—such as the town’s tourist attractions or seasonal rhythms—can drive divergent trends compared to national averages.

Stratford-on-Avon’s January 2026 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents represents a 12.7% increase from December’s 4.4, yet it remains 24.2% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 23 crimes per day, a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within the town’s population of 146,258. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 201 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, which is not provided here. This suggests that, despite the monthly rise, the scale of crime in Stratford-on-Avon remains proportionally smaller than in many other areas. The population context further highlights the significance of these numbers: with a population of over 146,000, the town’s crime statistics must be viewed through the lens of its demographic mix, including a substantial tourist presence and a mix of rural and urban environments. While the increase in certain crime categories may concern residents, the broader trend of lower-than-average crime levels indicates that Stratford-on-Avon continues to perform better than the UK average in most categories, except for burglary and weapon possession, which may reflect localized vulnerabilities. This comparison reinforces the need for targeted interventions in specific areas, such as addressing burglary risks in older homes or monitoring the rise in weapon-related incidents.