Wilmslow Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Wilmslow’s crime rate for February 2026 stood at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 51.6% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends, though February’s data reveals a notable anomaly: a 46.7% surge in violence and sexual offences compared to January, which may reflect seasonal shifts in social behaviour or unexplained factors. The breakdown shows that violence and sexual offences accounted for 55.7% of all crimes, far exceeding the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour and other theft followed closely, each contributing 7.6% of the total. These figures align with Wilmslow’s character as a suburban built-up area within Cheshire East, where lower population density and community-focused policing may contribute to reduced property crime. However, the sharp rise in violent offences challenges expectations for a winter month, typically marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull. Local factors such as indoor social gatherings or changes in policing strategies could explain this trend. The overall crime rate remains significantly below national levels, suggesting that Wilmslow’s environment—shaped by its proximity to natural landscapes and a mix of residential and commercial zones—creates conditions less conducive to crime compared to more densely populated areas.

February 2026 saw a 46.7% increase in violence and sexual offences compared to January, rising from 30 to 44 incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average rate of 2.3 per 1,000. This jump, despite February’s typically low outdoor activity, may be linked to indoor social patterns or other local dynamics. Meanwhile, shoplifting plummeted by 81.8% (from 11 to 2 cases), a drop consistent with the seasonal lull in retail activity and reduced foot traffic during winter. Burglary also rose sharply by 66.7% (3 to 5 cases), though this remains well below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. The crime mix shifted significantly, with violent offences dominating 55.7% of all reported crimes—double the UK proportion of 27%—while property crimes accounted for just 22.8% (18 cases). This suggests a temporary imbalance in crime types, with anti-social behaviour and other theft maintaining their usual low levels. Residents may find the shoplifting decline particularly noteworthy, as it indicates fewer opportunistic thefts in retail areas during the month. The data underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in addressing violent crime, even as overall rates remain far below national benchmarks.

Wilmslow’s crime rate in February 2026 (3.1 per 1,000) fell by 3.7% compared to January’s 3.2 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend despite the spike in violent offences. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day over the 28-day month, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 323 residents over the course of February. This monthly exposure rate—while low—highlights that crime remains a tangible, albeit infrequent, part of life in Wilmslow. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s crime profile is exceptionally muted compared to the UK average: for every 1,000 residents, Wilmslow recorded 3.1 crimes, whereas the UK average is nearly double at 6.4 per 1,000. This disparity underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the influence of Wilmslow’s suburban character, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime. The drop in shoplifting, for instance, aligns with the area’s lower foot traffic during winter, while the rise in violent offences remains an outlier that warrants further contextual analysis. These figures provide a clear snapshot of Wilmslow’s safety landscape, offering residents a benchmark for understanding their local crime environment in relation to both national trends and historical patterns.