Lower Willingdon Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violent crimes accounted for 44.4% of all reported incidents in Lower Willingdon during January 2026, making them the dominant category in the area’s crime profile. With a total of 27 crimes recorded, the area’s crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents places it 47.1% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This significant gap reflects a broader trend of lower crime levels in this built-up area compared to national benchmarks. The breakdown of crimes reveals that violence and sexual offences (12 incidents) were the most prevalent, followed by anti-social behaviour (8 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (3 incidents). These figures align with the area’s seasonal context: January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter days, factors that may contribute to a lower incidence of outdoor crimes. However, the prominence of violent offences suggests that localised factors—such as social dynamics or community tensions—play a more direct role in shaping crime patterns than broader seasonal influences. The relatively low levels of property crime, with only 6 incidents reported, further contrast with the UK average, where property crimes tend to constitute a larger share of the overall total. This divergence could be attributed to Lower Willingdon’s characteristics as a built-up area with lower levels of commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. While the crime rate remained stable compared to December, the mix of crime types highlights the need for targeted approaches to address the specific challenges posed by violent and anti-social behaviour, which remain higher than in other parts of the UK.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 166.7% (from 3 to 8 incidents). This increase may partly explain the area’s focus on community engagement initiatives. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 100%, jumping from zero to two incidents, a change that could reflect seasonal factors such as post-holiday vehicle usage or altered parking patterns. Conversely, public order offences fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), a decline consistent with reduced foot traffic during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, while remaining the dominant category, increased by 33.3% compared to December, a rise that contrasts with the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 for this category. Anti-social behaviour, now at 1.1 per 1,000, is 18% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge that may require targeted policing strategies.

The crime rate in Lower Willingdon remained stable in January 2026, matching the previous month’s rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall criminal activity during the transition from December to January. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 7,611 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 282 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When contextualised against the UK average, Lower Willingdon’s crime rate remains 47.1% below the national figure, a gap that persists despite fluctuations in specific crime categories. This population-scaled perspective highlights the area’s safety profile, though local variations in crime types may still warrant attention for community engagement or targeted interventions.