Congleton Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Congleton in February 2026 reveals a strikingly uneven distribution of offences, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 41.1% of all reported crimes. This high proportion of violent crime, despite an overall rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents—10.9% below the UK average—suggests a specific local dynamic that may be influenced by the area’s social fabric or community interactions. The seasonal context of February, a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may partly explain the lower prevalence of property crimes compared to the UK average. However, the dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK’s broader trend, where property offences often outnumber violent incidents. This imbalance could reflect Congleton’s demographic characteristics, such as a younger population or a higher proportion of residents in areas with concentrated social services. The relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour (45% below the UK average) and burglary (20% below) indicate that community cohesion or environmental factors may be playing a role in mitigating certain types of crime. Meanwhile, the 95% spike in public order offences above the UK average highlights a need for targeted strategies in managing public spaces, particularly during winter months when indoor gatherings increase. The data also shows a marked disparity in the mix of crimes, with shoplifting and public order offences affecting Congleton’s profile, raising questions about local enforcement priorities and the effectiveness of existing crime prevention measures in addressing these specific categories.

February marked a stark contrast in crime trends, with vehicle crime surging by 700% (from 1 to 8 incidents) and other crime rising by 200% (from 2 to 6). These jumps suggest a potential shift in criminal activity, possibly linked to increased vehicle movement during winter or unseasonal events. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 26.5%, dropping from 98 to 72 incidents—a decline that may reflect the impact of reduced public gatherings or enhanced community interventions. Public order offences in Congleton were 95% above the UK average, indicating a unique local dynamic that could be tied to specific events or social interactions in the area. The data also reveals a significant disparity in UK comparisons: anti-social behaviour was 45% below the national average, while drugs offences were 30% above, highlighting the area’s distinct crime profile.

February 2026 saw a 5.5% decrease in Congleton's crime rate, falling from 6.0 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and community events recede. Locally, the average of 6 crimes reported per day over 28 days translates to a manageable frequency for residents, though the 1-in-177 residents figure underscores that crime remains a present, if not dominant, concern. When contextualised against the area’s population of 30,901, the rate suggests that most households experience minimal direct exposure, with the majority of incidents concentrated in specific pockets. The drop from the previous month’s rate may reflect the natural ebb of seasonal crime patterns, though local factors such as increased policing or community initiatives could also contribute. The daily crime count, while modest, highlights the importance of vigilance in high-traffic areas like retail centres or transport hubs.