Old Sarum Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Public order offences in Old Sarum rose to levels 114% above the UK average in January 2026, marking an unexpected shift in the local crime profile despite an overall rate 16.2% below the national average. The area recorded 33 crimes in total, translating to 5.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, a figure significantly lower than the UK's 6.8 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.4% of all crimes (13 incidents), followed by public order (15.2%) and criminal damage and arson (12.1%). This mix contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 2.5 per 1,000 (12% below Old Sarum's rate). The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, shorter days, and reduced retail activity—may influence patterns, though the spike in public order offences suggests factors beyond typical seasonal trends. Old Sarum, a built-up area within Wiltshire, likely experiences crime dynamics shaped by its rural-adjacent character, with limited commercial hubs potentially reducing property crime but leaving community spaces vulnerable to disorder-related incidents.

Public order offences surged by 400% month-on-month, jumping from one incident in December 2025 to five in January 2026. This dramatic increase, coupled with possession of weapons rising from zero to one (100% growth), highlights a sudden shift in local crime dynamics. While violent crimes remained the most common category (13 incidents), they were 12% below the UK average, a contrast to public order offences, which were 114% above the national rate. Shoplifting also rose sharply, doubling from zero to one incident—a 100% increase. These changes suggest a possible reallocation of criminal activity toward public spaces, possibly linked to seasonal factors or community-specific pressures. Anti-social behaviour and other theft were both 35% and 29% below the UK average, respectively, indicating that Old Sarum's crime profile remains distinct in its focus on disorder and violence over property-related offences.

Old Sarum's crime rate in January 2026 (5.7 per 1,000) marked a 57.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.6 per 1,000, reflecting a notable uptick in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while modest, underscores the concentration of incidents in specific categories. When scaled to the population of 5,826 residents, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 177 residents over the course of the month—a rate that remains well below the UK average but highlights the disproportionate impact of certain offence types. The local context suggests that while overall crime remains low, the nature of incidents—particularly the sharp rise in public order offences—may reflect community-specific challenges, such as the need for targeted disorder management strategies in shared spaces. This contrast with the UK's broader trends, where public order offences are significantly lower, underscores the importance of localized analysis in understanding crime patterns.