Vale of Glamorgan Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The Vale of Glamorgan recorded a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 23.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure reflects a persistent trend of lower-than-average crime levels in the area, though the composition of crimes offers insight into local dynamics. Violent crimes, including violence and sexual offences, dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.8% of all reported incidents. This stark contrast to property crimes (232 incidents, or 32.8% of total) suggests a focus on interpersonal conflict over theft or burglary. Seasonal context may partially explain this balance: January’s post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail activity, which could dampen shoplifting and vehicle crime, while colder weather and shorter days might contribute to higher indoor disputes. The area’s crime profile aligns with patterns seen in mixed urban-rural regions, where violent crime often clusters around social hubs and public spaces, while property crime remains relatively low due to robust community policing or environmental design. Violent crime rates in the Vale of Glamorgan are 12% below the UK average, a gap that may reflect effective local interventions or demographic factors such as a lower proportion of high-risk age groups. However, the prominence of public order offences (10.6% of total crimes) at 43% above the UK average highlights tensions in specific neighbourhoods or events that require targeted attention.

January 2026 saw significant shifts in crime trends, with drug-related offences surging by 130% (from 10 to 23 incidents), a sharp increase that may reflect post-holiday spikes in substance use or illicit trade. Other theft also rose by 40% (45 to 63), potentially linked to seasonal disruptions in retail or increased personal property exposure during colder weather. Conversely, theft from the person plummeted by 80% (from 5 to 1), a decline that could indicate improved lighting in public areas or heightened community vigilance. The dominance of violent crime over property crime in the area remains striking: 296 violent incidents compared to 232 property crimes, a 27% gap that may signal underlying social or economic pressures. Public order offences. of total crimes, were 43% above the UK average, suggesting localised challenges in managing crowds or enforcing noise regulations. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped 42.4% (from 33 to 19), a reduction consistent with reduced traffic during winter months. These fluctuations underscore the need for nuanced strategies to address both rising and declining crime categories, ensuring resources are allocated to areas of greatest need without overlooking the broader context of seasonal and structural factors.

The Vale of Glamorgan’s crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December 2025, with a 1.5% decrease from 5.3 to 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This minor fluctuation indicates a broadly consistent crime environment, though the area’s overall rate continues to lag well below the UK average. On a daily basis, 23 crimes were reported per day in January, a figure that, while seemingly high, translates to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 192 residents. This ratio provides a concrete measure of risk for local residents, placing the Vale of Glamorgan in a safer bracket compared to many other areas. The population context further highlights the significance of these numbers: with 135,743 residents, even modest increases in specific crime categories can have meaningful local impacts. For instance, the 130% rise in drug-related offences, though numerically small (from 10 to 23), represents a 23-incident shift in an area where such crimes are already rare (0.2 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 0.3). This comparison underscores the importance of monitoring even minor trends, as they may reflect emerging challenges or shifts in policing priorities. The stability in the overall rate, combined with the area’s consistently lower-than-average crime levels, suggests a resilient but not impervious local crime profile, one that requires ongoing attention to both persistent and evolving risks.