Ossett Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ossett’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 6.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 10.3% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance, while better than the national benchmark, masks a combination of local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.1% of all incidents (53 cases), followed by burglary (15.5%, 20 cases) and public order offences (7.8%, 10 cases). The prominence of violent crime may be partly explained by the area’s character as a mixed-use built-up area within Wakefield, where proximity to urban centres and transient populations could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Seasonal factors also played a role: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall likely influenced the lower incidence of shoplifting and other public-facing crimes. However, burglary’s rate being 257% above the UK average raises questions about local vulnerabilities. This could be linked to the area’s housing stock, which may include older properties with weaker security measures, or a lack of immediate police presence during off-peak hours. The relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour (46% below the UK average) suggests that community engagement or environmental design—such as well-lit public spaces—may be effective in curbing such offences. Overall, Ossett’s crime profile illustrates a balance between urban challenges and local mitigating factors, with the need for targeted interventions in high-risk categories like burglary.

Burglary saw a sharp increase of 122.2% in January 2026, rising from 9 to 20 incidents. This surge, though unexplained by available data, contrasts with a 58.3% drop in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 12 to 5. The shift in crime mix is notable: property crimes (45) now account for 34.9% of total incidents, while violent crimes (53) make up 41.1%, reflecting a slight tilt towards violent offences. Burglary’s rate in Ossett is 257% above the UK average (0.3 vs 1.0 per 1,000), a disparity that may be linked to seasonal factors such as reduced retail footfall or colder weather driving indoor crime. Conversely, anti-social behaviour is 46% below the UK average, potentially reflecting community policing efforts or a lower density of public spaces fostering such activity. Residents may find the 100% increase in bicycle theft (from 0 to 1) unusual. These fluctuations underscore the need to monitor both rising and falling trends for local context.

Ossett's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 16.3% compared to December 2025, moving from 5.3 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects shifts in crime patterns typical of the post-holiday season. Locally, 4 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the built-up area’s daily rhythm. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 163 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while low, highlights the persistence of crime in a community of 21,019 people. This statistic is particularly notable when compared to the UK average, where Ossett’s overall rate remains 10.3% below the national figure. The population context suggests that, despite the rise, the area’s crime profile remains relatively stable, with the majority of residents unaffected by criminal activity. However, the increase in specific categories—such as burglary—demands closer attention to local factors influencing these trends.