Upton (Wakefield) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Upton (Wakefield) recorded a crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 5.9% above the UK average of 6.8. This figure, while modest compared to larger urban areas, reflects a combination of local conditions and seasonal factors. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.1%) and other theft (8.9%). These trends align with the area’s character as a built-up zone within Wakefield, where community interactions and public spaces may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. The post-holiday period in January, combined with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, likely influenced the crime profile, with fewer outdoor crimes typical of the season. However, the rate of violence and sexual offences, though lower than December’s figure, remains a key concern for local authorities. Anti-social behaviour, while below the UK average by 14%, still requires attention, particularly as it often precedes more serious incidents. The data also reveals that Upton’s property crime rate, though lower than the UK average for some categories, shows significant variations: other theft and vehicle crime are higher than national benchmarks, suggesting targeted interventions may be needed in these areas. These patterns illustrate the need for a nuanced understanding of local dynamics, where seasonal shifts and community-specific factors shape the crime profile.

January 2026 saw a marked reduction in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 33.3% to 14 incidents from 21 in December. This decline may partly explain the overall crime rate’s position relative to the UK average. above the national figure. Conversely, public order offences surged by 100%, rising from one to two incidents, a shift that could reflect changes in community dynamics or enforcement patterns. Other theft and other crime categories also doubled, reaching four incidents each, with both types exceeding UK averages by 30% and 275% respectively. This divergence highlights the need for targeted interventions in these areas. Meanwhile, burglary fell sharply by 66.7%, from three to one incident, a drop that may be linked to seasonal factors such as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which typically deter outdoor crimes. These fluctuations underscore the importance of contextualising crime trends within local rhythms and environmental conditions.

The crime rate in Upton (Wakefield) rose to 7.2 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, marking a 15.4% increase from the previous month’s rate of 6.3. This shift places the area 5.9% above the UK average, though the overall figure remains relatively modest compared to larger urban centres. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a statistic that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 139 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the low frequency of incidents despite the upward trend. When scaled to the population of 6,244, the rate underscores that most residents are not directly affected by crime on a daily basis, though the increase from December suggests a need for continued monitoring. This figure also contrasts with the UK average, which would require more detailed data to fully compare, but the local context remains distinct due to Upton’s smaller size and built-up area characteristics.