Northampton Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Northampton's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a starkly imbalanced mix of offences, with violence and anti-social behaviour dominating over other categories. The overall crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents places the area 42.4% above the UK average, a figure that highlights systemic differences in local policing, demographics, or socioeconomic factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.4% of all crimes, significantly higher than the UK average of 31%, suggesting a concentration of violent incidents in the built-up area. Anti-social behaviour, at 21.0% of total crimes, was 120% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect the town's urban character and the density of its population. Shoplifting, at 9.8% of crimes, was also elevated at 64% above the UK average, a pattern consistent with retail hubs experiencing seasonal dips in footfall during January. The seasonal context of the month—post-holiday period, reduced retail activity, and shorter days—may partly explain the dominance of crimes occurring in public spaces rather than private residences. This pattern contrasts with rural areas, where burglary might typically rise during colder months due to increased home occupancy. However, in Northampton, the shift towards public disorder and violent crime suggests a different dynamic, influenced by the town's role as a regional hub with a mix of commercial and residential zones. The absence of a significant rise in vehicle crime or burglary, despite the UK average for vehicle crime being 0.4 per 1,000, may indicate that local initiatives or environmental factors have mitigated these risks. The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where anti-social behaviour and violence are concentrated, while also acknowledging the seasonal factors that may contribute to the current crime mix.

January 2026 saw a sharp 137.5% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 8 to 19 incidents, a jump that far outpaces other categories. This spike may be linked to the post-holiday period, when increased cycling for commuting or leisure could coincide with reduced visibility in shorter days. Robbery also rose by 27.7% (47 to 60), suggesting a potential shift in crime patterns during the winter months. Anti-social behaviour remained high, at 120% above the UK average, a figure that underscores the persistent challenge of managing public disorder in urban centres. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 30.0% (80 to 56), a decline that may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas or the impact of holiday-related security measures. The contrast between rising thefts and falling burglaries illustrates a combination of crime types, with property crimes shifting from physical premises to personal items.

Northampton's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 9.4 per 1,000 residents, a 5.0% increase from the previous month's 9.0 per 1,000. This places the area 42.4% above the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000, a disparity that has persisted for several months. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 75 incidents, translating to roughly one reported crime for every 106 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure highlights the density of incidents relative to the population, though it does not account for fluctuations in reporting patterns or seasonal trends. The shift in crime types from December to January reveals a notable change in the balance between property and violent crimes, with anti-social behaviour and violence dominating over theft and burglary. This dynamic may reflect the post-holiday environment, where reduced retail activity and colder weather could influence both offender and victim behaviour in public spaces.