High Wycombe Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

High Wycombe's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 7.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 18.7% above the UK average of 6.4. This marked the second consecutive month with a stable overall rate, but the crime profile revealed notable patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 35.1% of all reported crimes, followed by shoplifting (11.4%) and anti-social behaviour (8.7%). These figures align with the area's character as a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail zones, where high foot traffic in certain areas may contribute to property-related crimes. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity—appears to have influenced the crime mix, with fewer incidents typically associated with summer or holiday periods. However, the sharp rise in drug-related offences (161% above the UK average) suggests persistent challenges in this category, potentially linked to broader regional trends. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of burglary (20% below the UK average) and theft from the person (100% below) reflect the area's lower risk profile for these specific crimes, due to effective community policing or demographic factors. The data underscores a combination of local conditions and national crime trends, warranting continued monitoring of emerging patterns.

February 2026 saw a dramatic 150% increase in possession of weapons, rising from 2 to 5 incidents—a sharp contrast to the previous month. This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in criminal activity that may warrant closer attention from local authorities. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour rose by 31.8%, with 58 incidents reported, suggesting increased tensions in public spaces or residential areas. Robbery rates also climbed by 30%, from 10 to 13, a rise that could be tied to seasonal factors such as post-holiday economic pressures or changes in public behaviour during colder weather. Shoplifting decreased by 9.5%, from 84 to 76, reflecting the end of January's post-Christmas retail rush or improved security measures in local stores. Meanwhile, bicycle theft fell by 50%, from 2 to 1, a reduction that may be linked to increased winter precautions by cyclists or the seasonal decline in outdoor cycling activity. The area's drug-related crime rate (0.6 per 1,000) was 161% above the UK average, a stark deviation that could indicate localized issues requiring targeted interventions. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime trends in High Wycombe, with some categories showing resilience while others reveal troubling upward trajectories.

High Wycombe's crime rate in February 2026 remained stable compared to the previous month, holding at 7.6 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no significant short-term shifts in overall criminal activity, though the monthly breakdown reveals deeper variations. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 24 crimes per day, translating to one reported crime for every 132 residents over the course of the month. While this figure is a local measure without a direct UK counterpart, it provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. The population-scaled perspective highlights that the crime rate, though above the UK average, is distributed across a relatively large community, potentially diluting the immediate impact on any single individual. The comparison to the UK average also underscores specific disparities: for instance, the area's drug-related crime rate is 161% higher than the national figure, a gap that could reflect local socioeconomic factors or policing priorities. Conversely, the low rate of burglary (20% below the UK average) and theft from the person (100% below) suggests that certain crime prevention strategies may be effective in this built-up area. These figures, when viewed alongside the month-on-month changes, illustrate a community with both persistent challenges and areas of relative success in crime management.