Rugeley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Rugeley's February 2026 crime profile reveals a distinct mix of violent and property offences that offers insights into the area's character. With a total crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents—6.3% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a relatively low overall risk compared to national trends. The most significant category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 47.5% of all reported crimes, a share that is 21% higher than the UK average. This imbalance suggests that local factors, such as community dynamics or environmental conditions, may be contributing to the elevated rate of violent crime. Property crimes, while lower in proportion (34.4% of total), included notable subcategories like vehicle crime (10.0%) and public order offences (8.8%), both of which exceeded UK averages by 71% and 22% respectively. This contrast highlights a unique pattern where violent crime dominates over property-related incidents, a trend that may be influenced by Rugeley's status as a built-up area within Cannock Chase, where social interactions and community structures could play a role. Seasonal context further informs this picture: February, as a winter month with low outdoor activity, typically sees reduced opportunities for certain types of crime, yet the high rate of violence suggests that indoor or community-based factors may be at play. The absence of significant increases in burglary or other theft—categories that were 60% and 29% below UK averages respectively—indicates that property crime is not the primary concern in this area, even though vehicle crime remains a persistent issue. This mix of crime types, with violence and public order offences dominating, illustrates an area where interpersonal conflicts and disorderly conduct may be more prevalent than other forms of crime. While the overall rate remains stable, the composition of crimes underscores the need for targeted strategies to address the specific challenges associated with violent and public order offences.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with three categories experiencing 100% increases: possession of weapons (from 0 to 1), robbery (from 0 to 4), and bicycle theft (from 0 to 1). These spikes, though small in absolute terms, suggest emerging trends that may warrant closer attention. Conversely, burglary and criminal damage and arson both declined sharply—by 71.4% and 33.3% respectively—possibly reflecting seasonal factors or local interventions. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.8 per 1,000, were 21% above the UK average, highlighting a significant disparity in this category. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates were 14% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour was 67% below, indicating areas where Rugeley's crime profile diverges from national norms. For residents, the daily crime count of 6 incidents per day provides a tangible reference point for assessing local safety in the context of the month's overall stability.

Rugeley's February 2026 crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 1.8% decrease from the previous month's 6.1 per 1,000, indicating a stable trend. Daily crime activity averaged 6 reported incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of crime for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 167 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area's overall safety profile relative to its population of 26,748. This rate remains 6.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, suggesting a slightly safer environment compared to national trends. While the overall rate has remained stable, the composition of crimes has shifted, with violent offences rising compared to property crimes. This balance may indicate changes in local dynamics, though further data would be needed to confirm such patterns. The population-scaled perspective shows that Rugeley's crime profile remains relatively consistent with historical trends, despite the notable fluctuations in specific categories.