St Austell Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

St Austell's crime profile in February 2026 reveals a distinct imbalance between violent and property crimes, with the former dominating the landscape. Of the 179 total crimes recorded, 74 (41.3%) were classified as violence and sexual offences, significantly higher than the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000 (34% above). This overrepresentation of violent crime contrasts sharply with property crimes, which accounted for 57 incidents (31.8% of the total). Anti-social behaviour (12.9%) and criminal damage (10.1%) followed, both exceeding UK averages by 10% and 74% respectively. This pattern aligns with the area's characteristics as a built-up coastal town, where social tensions and public spaces may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and disorder. The seasonal context of February—marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may further amplify indoor conflicts and alcohol-related incidents, which often feature prominently in violence statistics. While shoplifting remained 14% below the UK average, the sharp rise in possession of weapons offences (186% above the UK average) introduces a worrying trend that may reflect localised factors such as increased knife crime or gang activity. The overall crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents, 15.6% above the UK average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent crime is concentrated. This data suggests that while St Austell's crime mix is not uniquely extreme compared to other UK towns, the specific dominance of violent crime may indicate deeper social or economic challenges that warrant further investigation.

February 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with theft from the person and robbery both increasing by 100% compared to the previous month. This surge, while notable, contrasts with a 50% drop in drug-related crimes and a 40% decrease in 'other crime' categories. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark imbalance, with violence and sexual offences constituting 41.3% of all reported crimes—34% above the UK average. This overrepresentation of violent crime may partly explain the area's elevated overall rate. Conversely, shoplifting fell slightly by 7.7%, remaining 14% below the UK average, a trend that could reflect targeted policing efforts in retail areas. The most striking anomaly is the 186% increase in possession of weapons offences, which rose from three to five incidents, far exceeding the UK average. This category's sharp rise warrants attention, though no direct causal link can be established without further data.

St Austell's crime rate in February 2026 rose to 7.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous month's 7.1 per 1,000. This shift places the area 15.6% above the UK average, a distinction that underscores the need for ongoing community vigilance. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six crimes per day, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, reflects the persistent nature of local crime patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 135 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the population of 24,127, illustrates the relative frequency of incidents in a built-up area. This statistic, though not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, provides a tangible measure of local risk. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while St Austell's crime rate is elevated compared to the UK average, it remains within the bounds of what might be expected for a coastal town with a mix of urban and semi-rural characteristics.