Waverley Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Waverley’s crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents in January 2026 marked a continuation of its long-standing position as one of the UK’s safest areas, remaining 50% below the national average of 6.8 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.1% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.2%) and other theft (7.9%). This distribution aligns with Waverley’s character as a mixed-use district with a strong community presence and limited industrial activity, which may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. Seasonal factors also played a role: the post-holiday period in January typically sees reduced retail footfall, which likely contributed to the 65% drop in shoplifting compared to the UK average. However, the area’s violent crime rate remains significantly lower than the national average, a pattern consistent with Waverley’s relatively stable social environment and low levels of deprivation. The overall crime profile suggests that local policing strategies and community engagement efforts are effective in maintaining safety. monthly increase from December indicates a need for continued monitoring. With 3.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, Waverley’s residents face a much lower risk of experiencing crime than the UK average, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a secure place to live.

January saw a 65% decrease in shoplifting compared to the UK average, a trend consistent with reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Conversely, drug-related crimes surged by 88.9% (9 to 17), an increase that may reflect seasonal shifts in illicit activity patterns. Theft from the person fell by 50.0% (4 to 2), likely linked to shorter daylight hours and reduced pedestrian activity in public spaces. The breakdown also reveals that Waverley’s violent crime rate (1.4 per 1,000) is 44% below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.2 per 1,000) both significantly underperforming national benchmarks. These disparities suggest local factors—such as community engagement initiatives or effective policing in high-risk zones—are contributing to the area’s lower-than-average violent crime rates.

Waverley’s crime rate in January 2026 rose 4.0% from December’s 3.3 per 1,000 to 3.4 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend despite remaining 50% below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 15 incidents, a figure that may seem high in isolation but contextualises to one reported crime for every 296 residents over the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 150 residents. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Waverley’s overall safety remains markedly better than the national benchmark, even with the small increase. While the rise in crime is not statistically significant, it underscores the need for sustained vigilance, particularly in areas where property crime and public order incidents have shown minor fluctuations. The relatively low daily rate, combined with the population context, suggests that most residents experience minimal direct exposure to crime, reinforcing the area’s general safety profile.