Hadleigh Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Hadleigh’s crime profile in February 2026 revealed an unexpected surge in anti-social behaviour, which rose by 150% compared to January. This sharp increase contrasts with a 57.1% decline in violence and sexual offences, the most common crime type at 37.5% of total incidents. The area’s overall crime rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 62.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a disparity consistent with Hadleigh’s status as a small built-up area within Babergh. Violence and sexual offences, though down from January, remained lower than the UK average by 61%, suggesting local factors such as community policing or demographic characteristics may contribute to this trend. Anti-social behaviour, now the second most common category at 20.8% of total crimes, saw a dramatic increase, potentially linked to seasonal shifts or unaddressed social tensions during the winter lull. Other theft and criminal damage and arson both fell by 50% compared to January, aligning with the generally low activity typical of February in this area. The crime mix remained skewed toward violent offences, with property crimes accounting for only 29% of total incidents, a reflection of Hadleigh’s likely urban character and limited retail presence compared to larger towns. Seasonal context suggests the pre-spring lull may have tempered outdoor crime, though the spike in anti-social behaviour indicates localized pressures that warrant closer monitoring.

February 2026 saw a 150% increase in anti-social behaviour, jumping from 2 to 5 incidents, the most significant month-on-month change. This surge occurred alongside a 57.1% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which dropped from 21 to 9, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns or targeted interventions. The category of 'other theft' also rose by 100%, from 1 to 2 incidents, while possession of weapons increased by 100% from 0 to 1, an anomaly that stands out as the only category above the UK average by 43%. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most frequent crime type, fell to 0.9 per 1,000 residents—61% below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, was 45% below the UK average, yet its rapid increase raises questions about local dynamics. Residents may find the 1-in-421 residents monthly exposure figure (based on 24 crimes over 10,112 residents) a useful benchmark for understanding risk levels, though this remains far below national averages.

Hadleigh’s crime rate in February 2026 (2.4 per 1,000) represented a 41.5% decrease from January’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000, a marked improvement that aligns with the typical seasonal lull in winter months. Daily crime context shows 1 crime reported per day on average, a figure that, while low, may be influenced by Hadleigh’s small population of 10,112. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 421 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average, though no direct UK comparison is available for this metric. The population-scaled perspective underscores Hadleigh’s relative safety, with its crime rate remaining 62.5% below the UK average. This contrast is particularly notable in categories like violence and sexual offences, which were 61% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour, which was 45% below. However, the 150% increase in anti-social behaviour from January highlights the volatility of local crime patterns, even within a broadly safe area. The absence of significant property crime increases, despite a 50% drop in burglary and criminal damage, further suggests that Hadleigh’s built-up character and limited commercial density may naturally suppress certain crime types.