Boston Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Boston’s February 2026 crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents places it 31.2% above the UK average, a figure that highlights the area’s distinct challenges. The most striking outlier is the burglary rate, which stands at 0.7 per 1,000—180% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This disparity may reflect Boston’s urban character, where high-density housing and commercial zones create opportunities for targeted property crime. Violence and sexual offences (194 incidents) dominate the crime profile, accounting for 32.4% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.4%) and shoplifting (9.4%). These patterns are consistent with a city experiencing pressures from both transient populations and local economic factors. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—may have amplified certain issues, such as the sharp increase in public order offences (up 54.8% from 31 to 48), which could be linked to reduced community engagement or increased social isolation. However, the overall rate remains lower than the previous month’s 9.8 per 1,000, suggesting that broader seasonal trends and potential policing initiatives may have contributed to a temporary decline. The UK average of 6.4 per 1,000 underscores Boston’s elevated risk, particularly in property crime, which remains a focal point for local authorities. This data illustrates a city grappling with persistent challenges, where targeted interventions may be needed to address the root causes of disproportionate burglary and anti-social behaviour rates.

February 2026 saw a stark increase in robbery, rising by 85.7% from 7 to 13 incidents—a spike that may reflect heightened vulnerability in specific areas, such as transport hubs or late-night retail zones. Public order offences also surged by 54.8%, likely tied to the pre-spring lull and potential disruptions in community engagement. Conversely, vehicle crime fell sharply by 52.6%, possibly due to reduced traffic during winter or enhanced parking security measures. The burglary rate (0.7 per 1,000) remains 180% above the UK average, a disparity that underscores the area’s unique challenges. For residents, the 36.4% rise in other thefts (from 22 to 30) offers a concrete warning about securing personal property, particularly in high-traffic residential zones. These shifts illustrate a crime profile shaped by both seasonal patterns and local infrastructure, with property crime continuing to dominate over violent crime for the first time in recent months.

Boston's crime rate in February 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents) represents a 13.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.8 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, aligns with the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and retail footfall are reduced. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 119 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it remains significantly higher than the UK average. The population context further highlights the disparity: with 71,080 residents, Boston’s crime profile reflects a concentrated mix of property and violent crime, which contrasts sharply with the broader UK trend of lower burglary rates and more balanced crime distributions. The reduction in vehicle crime by 52.6% (from 19 to 9) may signal improved security measures or seasonal factors, though this alone does not fully explain the broader decline in overall rates.