Derbyshire Dales Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Derbyshire Dales recorded a crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, placing it 45.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This rural district, characterized by its low population density and spread-out communities, continues to maintain a crime profile significantly lower than the national benchmark. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.3% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.1%) and other theft (10.3%). These figures align with patterns seen in similar rural areas, where property crimes tend to be less prevalent than in urban centres. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the subdued levels of certain crime types, particularly vehicle-related offences and shoplifting. However, the persistence of violent crime, despite being 44% below the UK average, suggests local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies could be at play. The data also highlights the importance of targeted interventions in addressing specific issues, such as anti-social behaviour, which remains a notable concern in the area.

February 2026 saw dramatic shifts in Derbyshire Dales’ crime profile. Possession of weapons and theft from the person both increased by 100% compared to January, marking the most significant month-on-month changes. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply by 54.8%, potentially reflecting heightened tensions during the winter period or seasonal fluctuations in community engagement. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 51.9%—a stark decline that may be linked to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during February, a month typically marked by low outdoor activity. Criminal damage and arson dropped by 31.8%, influenced by colder weather deterring vandalism. These shifts underscore the volatility of crime patterns in rural settings, where local events or environmental factors can drive sudden changes. Violence and sexual offences remained 44% below the UK average, illustrating Derbyshire Dales’ continued divergence from national trends. For residents, the sharp rise in weapon-related crimes highlights the need for awareness and community vigilance in addressing emerging concerns.

Derbyshire Dales’ crime rate in February 2026 fell to 3.5 per 1,000, a 3.6% decrease from January’s 3.6 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, reinforces the area’s position as one of the safest in the UK. On a daily basis, 9 crimes were reported across the 28 days of the month, equating to roughly one crime for every 285 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure—1 in 285—places the area well below the UK average for similar-sized districts, reflecting the sparse population and limited urban infrastructure typical of rural Derbyshire. When scaled to the district’s 71,757 residents, the low crime rate underscores the effectiveness of local policing and the inherent challenges of committing crimes in a sparsely populated region. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the importance of context: while Derbyshire Dales’ overall rate is significantly lower, specific categories like anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime remain below national levels, suggesting a unique social and geographical profile that mitigates certain types of criminal activity.