Dudley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dudley’s crime profile in February 2026, accounting for 44.9% of all reported crimes — the largest single category by a significant margin. This focus on violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where such offences make up 12% of the national total. The overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents places Dudley 9.4% below the UK average, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area’s post-industrial character and efforts to address specific local challenges. Property crimes, though lower than violent offences, still accounted for 40.2% of the total (772 incidents), with shoplifting (12.2% of all crimes) and criminal damage (8.0%) driving much of this activity. The seasonal context of February — a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull — likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate, though the persistence of violent crime suggests deeper social or economic factors at play. Dudley’s shoplifting rate (0.7 per 1,000) is 21% above the UK average, potentially linked to the area’s retail presence in centres like Dudley Town Centre, which may attract both legitimate and opportunistic activity. Meanwhile, public order offences — at 0.3 per 1,000 — are 27% below the UK average, a trend that may reflect Dudley’s community-focused policing strategies or the influence of local demographics. The data highlights a combination of national crime trends and Dudley’s specific context, where urban density, economic conditions, and targeted interventions shape the local profile.

February saw a sharp 62.5% increase in robbery cases, rising from 16 to 26 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, underscores a shift in crime dynamics, potentially linked to targeted opportunism in high-traffic areas. Conversely, burglary fell by 23.3%, a decline consistent with seasonal lulls in property crime typical of winter months. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, with a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 — 12% above the UK average. This contrast with categories like anti-social behaviour, which fell by 19.4% and sits 78% below the UK average, points to Dudley’s unique crime profile. The rise in shoplifting (12.2% of total crimes) — 21% above the UK average — may reflect retail patterns in Dudley’s commercial hubs, where foot traffic and economic factors could influence such activity. For residents, the 68 daily crimes reported offer a tangible measure of local policing priorities and community engagement efforts.

Dudley’s crime rate in February 2026 fell by 4.8% compared to January, dropping from 6.1 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns observed in post-industrial towns, where colder weather and reduced outdoor activity often correlate with lower crime levels. On a daily basis, 68 crimes were reported in February — a figure that, while consistent with historical trends, remains a local benchmark without UK-wide comparison data. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 173 residents, a rate that is 9.4% below the UK average. This suggests Dudley’s crime profile, while reflective of broader national trends in some categories, diverges in others. For example, anti-social behaviour fell by 19.4% month-on-month, potentially linked to reduced public gatherings during winter. However, the drop in burglary — a 23.3% decrease — contrasts with UK-wide trends, indicating local factors such as improved community initiatives or seasonal shifts in criminal activity may be at play.