Waverley Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Waverley’s crime rate in January 2026 remained lower than the UK average, with 3.4 crimes reported per 1,000 residents—48.5% below the national figure of 6.6. This consistent underperformance relative to the UK average suggests a combination of local factors, including effective policing strategies or community engagement initiatives. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.3%) and other theft (8%). These patterns align with typical urban dynamics, where high foot traffic in certain areas may contribute to anti-social behaviour, while the prevalence of violence could reflect broader societal trends. Seasonal context also plays a role: January, a post-holiday month with reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, likely contributes to lower outdoor crime rates. However, the persistence of violent crime—43% below the UK average—raises questions about local socioeconomic conditions or targeted interventions. The data also highlights a stark contrast in specific categories: for example, shoplifting rates were 64% below the UK average, indicating strong retail security measures or lower foot traffic in commercial zones. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the breakdown of offences offers insights into the area’s unique challenges and strengths, warranting further analysis to understand the underlying drivers.

January 2026 saw notable reductions in certain crime categories, with theft from the person falling by 50% (from 4 to 2 incidents) and robbery decreasing by 25% (from 4 to 3). These declines, though modest, may reflect heightened community awareness or seasonal factors, such as reduced public gatherings during colder weather. Conversely, drug-related offences surged by 88.9% (from 9 to 17), a sharp increase that could signal shifts in local drug markets or heightened police focus on specific areas. Public order offences also rose by 34.8% (from 23 to 31), linked to post-holiday disruptions or changes in enforcement priorities. Despite these increases, Waverley’s violent crime rate remains 43% below the UK average, with 1.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. This stark contrast underscores the area’s relative safety compared to national trends, though it raises questions about why violent crime remains low. For residents, the 50% drop in theft from the person is a tangible improvement, suggesting that personal safety measures or targeted policing in high-risk areas may be yielding results. The overall crime mix also shows a shift: while property crimes (140 incidents) remain significant, violent crimes (190 incidents) dominate, a balance that may reflect the area’s demographic profile or local crime prevention efforts.

Waverley’s crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly from 3.3 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents—a 3.7% increase compared to December 2025. However, this small uptick is overshadowed by the area’s continued performance well below the UK average. On a daily basis, Waverley recorded approximately 15 crimes per day in January, a figure that, while consistent with previous months, remains relatively low given the local population of 134,284. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 297 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Waverley in the lower quartile of UK local authorities. This statistic, when contextualised against the national average, highlights the area’s effectiveness in crime prevention, even as it navigates the challenges of a post-holiday period. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Waverley’s crime rate, though slightly higher than December’s, is still significantly lower than most comparable areas. For instance, the 3.4 rate is over 50% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives—whether community-based or police-led—continue to have a measurable impact. While the slight increase in overall crime rate may prompt scrutiny, the broader context of sustained underperformance relative to the UK average indicates that Waverley’s crime profile remains a priority for continued investment in safety measures.