Prestatyn Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 saw an unexpected surge in public order offences, marking the most significant shift in Prestatyn’s crime profile this year. The area’s overall crime rate stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, 12.5% below the UK average of 6.4, a figure that suggests a combination of local factors—potentially including community initiatives or environmental design—may be contributing to its relative safety. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, accounted for 40.9% of all incidents, a share that, while high, was 1% below the UK average. This contrasts with the 55% above-average rate for shoplifting, which remains a persistent concern for local businesses. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, was 32% above the UK average, raising questions about the effectiveness of current interventions in managing such incidents. Seasonally, February’s typically low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have influenced these patterns, though the sharp rise in public order offences defies expectations. The area’s relatively low burglary rate—60% below the UK average—suggests that targeted policing or community engagement efforts may be yielding results, though the absence of clear causal explanations means further analysis is required. These findings highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of local dynamics, as crime trends in Prestatyn appear to be shaped by a combination of seasonal, demographic, and geographic factors.

The most striking shift in February 2026 was the 200% increase in public order offences, which rose from 2 to 6 incidents. This spike, occurring in a month typically marked by low outdoor activity, suggests potential disruptions in local routines or heightened tensions in public spaces. Concurrently, drugs-related crimes surged from 0 to 3, a 100% increase, indicating a possible shift in criminal activity patterns. Violent crimes, however, saw a modest 9.5% decline, dropping from 42 to 38, a trend that contrasts with the overall rise in crime. Shoplifting remained 55% above the UK average, highlighting the area’s vulnerability to retail crime. Meanwhile, burglary and criminal damage both fell sharply—by 50%—which may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic in winter. These divergent trends underscore the complexity of crime patterns, with some categories defying seasonal expectations while others align closely with them.

Prestatyn's crime rate in February 2026 rose 10.6% compared to January, climbing from 5.1 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, reflects a shift in the crime profile, with public order offences surging to 6 incidents—a 200% rise from the previous month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of crime in local life. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 178 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against Prestatyn’s population of 16,513, highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents per individual. This aligns with the area’s overall crime rate being 12.5% below the UK average, suggesting a combination of local factors—such as community engagement or environmental design—that may contribute to its comparative safety. However, the sharp increase in public order offences raises questions about the dynamics at play, particularly during a typically quiet winter month.