Shaftesbury Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Shaftesbury’s February 2026 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents places it 17.2% below the UK average, a position shaped by the interplay between property and violent crime. Violent offences, which accounted for 33.3% of all incidents, were slightly below the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000), while property crimes made up 42.1% of the total. This balance suggests a town where interpersonal conflict and theft remain prominent, but neither dominates to the extent seen in larger urban centres. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the lower-than-average rates for shoplifting and public order offences, which fell to 3.5 per 1,000 and 0.1 per 1,000 respectively. However, the sharp increase in vehicle crime (0.6 per 1,000) and other theft (0.8 per 1,000) compared to the UK average points to localized vulnerabilities. As a built-up area within Dorset, Shaftesbury’s crime profile reflects its mixed character: a small town with a historic core, yet one that hosts commuter activity and retail spaces. This duality may contribute to the higher-than-average rates for vehicle-related crimes and other theft, which could be linked to the presence of parked vehicles in public areas or unsecured properties. The absence of a major university or tourist hub may also explain the lower rates for theft from the person and burglary compared to other UK towns. Overall, the February figures illustrate a crime picture shaped by both seasonal rhythms and the town’s unique demographic and geographic context.

February 2026 marked a significant shift in Shaftesbury’s crime mix, with violent crimes accounting for 33.3% of all incidents—slightly below the UK average for this category by 22%. This contrasts with a sharp 77.8% decline in shoplifting, which fell from nine to two incidents, reflecting a possible seasonal lull in retail-focused offences. Meanwhile, three categories saw increases: possession of weapons, public order offences, and drugs, each rising by 100% compared to January. These jumps, though small in absolute numbers, may indicate emerging trends or localized factors. For instance, the absence of shoplifting incidents in February could align with the winter months’ reduced foot traffic in retail areas. The town’s crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, with other theft and vehicle crime rates above the national benchmark by 90% and 71% respectively. Residents may find the drop in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a temporary reduction in targeted retail crime.

February 2026 saw Shaftesbury’s crime rate rise by 24.0% from the previous month’s 4.3 to 5.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in the crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 188 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the town’s population of 10,712. Daily crime counts averaged 2 incidents per day, a rate that aligns with the area’s character as a built-up area within a rural county. While this figure is lower than the UK average, the increase from January highlights the need for continued monitoring. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a lower monthly exposure to crime compared to the UK average, but the month-on-month rise suggests seasonal or situational factors may be at play. The absence of a daily UK comparison allows for a focused analysis on local patterns, which appear to be influenced by both resident activity and external influences.