Cornwall Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cornwall's crime profile in February 2026 reflects a continued trend of lower-than-average rates, with the overall crime rate at 5.1 per 1,000 residents—20.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance, while modest in absolute terms, highlights the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48.2% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (9.7%) and anti-social behaviour (9.6%). These figures align with Cornwall's mix of rural and coastal geography, where community dynamics and lower population density may contribute to lower rates of anti-social behaviour. However, the prominence of violent crime suggests that targeted interventions in areas with higher social interaction, such as tourist spots and coastal towns, remain necessary. Seasonal factors likely play a role in the crime profile, with February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull potentially reducing opportunities for property crimes and public order offences. The data also reveals a consistent gap between Cornwall's rates and the UK average for several categories, including vehicle crime (71% below UK average) and burglary (60% below UK average). These disparities may be linked to the area's rural character, where fewer commercial properties and lower population density naturally limit certain types of criminal activity. The absence of significant spikes in violent crime compared to other months suggests that ongoing policing efforts and community engagement initiatives may be effectively mitigating risk factors. Nevertheless, the persistent above-average rates for violence and sexual offences indicate that addressing root causes—such as alcohol-related incidents in coastal nightlife areas—remains a critical priority for local authorities.

February 2026 saw a marked 300% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect seasonal shifts in outdoor activity or targeted theft during colder months. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 8.2%, aligning with the pre-spring lull in seasonal crime patterns. Public order offences also decreased by 6.2%, a trend consistent with reduced social gatherings during winter. Anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 9.6% of total crimes, remains 45% below the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. This discrepancy is likely attributable to Cornwall's rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density may naturally suppress such incidents. Violence and sexual offences—comprising 48.2% of all crimes—remain 8% above the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. This highlights the persistent challenge of addressing violent crime in areas with higher levels of social interaction, such as coastal towns and tourist hubs.

Cornwall's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to 5.2 per 1,000 in January. This continued downward trend positions the area 20.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics reveal 106 reported incidents per day, a figure that, while consistent with recent months, reflects the area's relatively low overall crime profile. Over the course of February, one crime was reported for every 196 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure rate in a population of 583,289. This statistic, when contextualised against Cornwall's rural and coastal character, underscores the area's generally safer environment compared to densely populated urban centres. The slight decline in violent crime and property crime categories, coupled with the stability in anti-social behaviour rates, suggests that community-focused policing efforts may be having a measurable impact. However, the daily crime figure remains a useful benchmark for residents, offering a tangible sense of the local crime profile.