Winchcombe Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

January 2026 saw Winchcombe maintain a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents, 30.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance, consistent with previous months, underscores the area’s relatively low exposure to crime despite its built-up status within Tewkesbury. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 24% of all reported incidents, followed closely by violence and sexual offences (24%) and burglary (16%). The seasonal context of January—characterised by post-holiday periods, reduced retail footfall, and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate, particularly in outdoor and public spaces. However, the data also reveals a significant imbalance in local crime patterns compared to the UK average: burglary rates were 186% above the national figure, while violence and sexual offences were 56% below. This disparity may be attributed to the area’s rural-urban blend, where residential properties are more concentrated, and community policing efforts have historically focused on reducing violent crime. The low rate of shoplifting—0.4 per 1,000—suggests that retail security measures, such as CCTV and staff training, are effective in deterring theft. These findings, when contextualised with the area’s character as a small, mixed-use settlement, illustrate how local factors, including population density and policing priorities, shape crime trends differently than in larger urban centres.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in January 2026 was the 50% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 12 to 6. This decline, while significant, contrasts with a 100% increase in shoplifting, drugs, and other theft, each of which rose from zero to one reported incident. These changes highlight a notable shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences gaining prominence over violent crimes. Anti-social behaviour remained the most common category, accounting for 24% of all crimes, but it still fell short of the UK average by 18%—a figure that may reflect the area’s community-oriented policing strategies. Meanwhile, burglary rates in Winchcombe were 186% above the UK average, suggesting a localised vulnerability in residential security. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting—doubling from one to two incidents—could signal a need for increased vigilance in retail areas during post-holiday periods.

Winchcombe’s January 2026 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 7.5% decline from December’s 5.1 per 1,000, reflecting a continued trend of lower-than-average crime levels. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the area’s relatively safe environment. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 212 residents, a ratio that places Winchcombe well below the UK average in terms of exposure to crime. This monthly exposure metric, when scaled to the local population, illustrates the area’s effectiveness in maintaining low crime levels despite its built-up character. The population of 5,307 further contextualises these figures, showing that even small increases in specific crime types, such as shoplifting, represent minimal impact on the overall safety profile. These statistics, when compared to national benchmarks, highlight Winchcombe’s consistent performance in keeping crime rates below the UK average, a trend that may partly explain its appeal as a residential and commercial hub in the Tewkesbury region.