Crawley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Crawley's crime profile in February 2026 presents a stark contrast to the UK average, with a crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents—43.7% above the national figure of 6.4. This marks one of the highest monthly rates recorded in recent years for the area. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.4%) and shoplifting (13.4%). These figures suggest a troubling pattern of interpersonal crime and disorder that appears to be intensifying. The winter season may play a role, as February typically sees reduced outdoor activity and pre-spring lulls that could contribute to concentrated incidents in specific areas. Violence rates in Crawley are 25% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 76% higher—a disparity that may reflect the area's unique social dynamics. The high proportion of shoplifting (107% above UK average) could be linked to Crawley's retail presence, though this remains speculative without further data. Seasonal factors such as shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures may exacerbate tensions in community spaces. The overall trajectory suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly those with concentrated retail or nightlife activity.

February 2026 saw alarming increases in several crime categories, with anti-social behaviour rising by 42.1% (140 → 199) and other crime surging by 64.7% (17 → 28). These jumps suggest a growing problem in public spaces that residents should monitor closely. Theft from the person also increased by 42.9% (7 → 10), a troubling trend that may indicate opportunistic crimes in areas with high foot traffic. Conversely, robbery rates plummeted by 80% (20 → 4), though this could be an anomaly rather than a sustained improvement. The data also reveals stark disparities compared to the UK average: violence and sexual offences are 25% above the national rate, while anti-social behaviour is 76% higher. This divergence may be partly explained by Crawley's urban character and the concentration of social services in certain districts. Shoplifting, at 107% above the UK average, could reflect the town's retail density. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high concentrations of commercial activity, where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are most prevalent.

Crawley's February 2026 crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents represents a 9.2% decrease from January 2026's rate of 10.2. However, this monthly decline does not offset the broader trend of elevated crime compared to the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 41 crimes per day—a figure that underscores the persistent pressure on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 108 residents reported being affected by crime, a statistic that highlights the scale of the challenge facing the community. When compared to the UK's overall population, Crawley's higher-than-average rates for violence (25% above) and anti-social behaviour (76% above) suggest structural issues that may require targeted policy responses. The local population of 124,008 means that even relatively small increases in crime rates can have significant impacts on community safety. While the month-on-month decrease is a positive sign, the overall rate remains 43.7% above the UK average, indicating that Crawley's crime profile continues to diverge from national trends in ways that warrant further scrutiny.