Cheltenham Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 121,739 residents, 6 crimes reported in February 2026 equates to 0.005 crimes per person — a figure so low it defies typical urban crime patterns. Cheltenham's overall crime rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents sits 98.4% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, reflecting a safety profile that diverges sharply from national trends. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (3 cases, 50% of total), followed by other theft (16.7%), shoplifting (16.7%), and anti-social behaviour (16.7%). These figures align with Cheltenham's character as a historically safe town with a strong community presence and limited high-density commercial zones. Seasonal context suggests February's low crime levels may be linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter, though the town's year-round cultural events and tourism infrastructure typically drive higher foot traffic. The absence of property crimes in this month's data is notable, contrasting with national patterns where property offences often dominate. This anomaly could reflect effective local policing or the town's limited exposure to high-risk commercial areas, though further analysis would be required to confirm such connections. Cheltenham's crime profile illustrates how geographic and demographic factors can shape safety outcomes independently of broader national trends.

February 2026 saw unprecedented drops in key crime categories, with anti-social behaviour plummeting 99.5% (214 to 1), shoplifting falling 99.2% (121 to 1), and violence and sexual offences declining 99.0% (309 to 3). These reductions mark the most dramatic month-on-month shifts in the town's recorded history, though the absolute numbers remain extremely low. The crime mix shifted sharply toward violent offences, which accounted for 50% of all crimes — a proportion significantly lower than the UK average of 35.9% for violence and sexual offences. This divergence suggests Cheltenham's unique social dynamics, possibly linked to its status as a town with a relatively stable population and limited transient visitor numbers. For residents, the daily crime context is particularly striking: 6 crimes over 28 days equates to roughly 0 crimes per day, a statistic that would be of interest to any parent or business owner considering relocation. The town's performance against UK averages is equally notable: all four crime categories recorded were 100% below their respective national benchmarks, a rare feat that underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies or the town's inherent characteristics in mitigating criminal activity.

Cheltenham's crime rate in February 2026 (0.1 per 1,000) represents a staggering 99.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.2 per 1,000, a shift that would be statistically significant even in larger urban areas. When contextualised by daily figures, the town recorded an average of 0 crimes per day in February, a level of safety that would be remarkable for any UK locality. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 20,290 residents — a monthly exposure rate so low it effectively eliminates the concept of 'routine' crime for most residents. This stands in stark contrast to the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, which would equate to 1 crime for every 156 residents over the same period. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cheltenham's crime prevention efforts, if any, are operating at a level far exceeding national benchmarks. For a town of its size, the implications are clear: residents face a drastically reduced risk of victimisation compared to the UK average, a situation that could be attributed to factors such as strong community cohesion, effective policing, or the town's geographic and economic profile. The comparison also highlights how localised factors can create safety outcomes that diverge markedly from national statistics, a phenomenon worth noting for both residents and policymakers.