Axminster Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Axminster’s February 2026 crime profile reflects a combination of seasonal and localized factors, with the area’s overall crime rate at 4.3 per 1,000 residents—32.8% below the UK average of 6.4. This places Axminster among the UK’s safest communities, though the distribution of crime types reveals specific vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 57.9% of all reported incidents (22 cases), a figure that is 8% above the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. This suggests that while the area’s overall safety is commendable, targeted efforts may be needed to address the persistent overrepresentation of violent crime. Property crimes, though lower in absolute numbers (12 cases), showed a significant shift in composition, with criminal damage and arson rising sharply to 6 incidents (0.7 per 1,000), a rate 52% above the UK average. This increase, coupled with the 100% month-on-month surge in vehicle crime (from 1 to 2 incidents), points to emerging challenges in areas such as public spaces and transport infrastructure. Seasonal context may also play a role, as February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—typically sees a pre-spring lull in crime. However, the exact causes of these spikes remain unclear, influenced by factors such as transient populations or localized events. The town’s relatively low crime rate, combined with these specific trends, underscores the need for a nuanced approach to public safety, balancing broad reassurance with targeted interventions in areas showing increased vulnerability.

February 2026 marked a stark contrast in crime trends within Axminster, with three categories experiencing 100% month-on-month increases: vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, and other theft. These spikes, while numerically modest, signal a shift in the crime mix, with property-related incidents rising from 12 to 15 (from 12 total crimes to 15, as property crimes include multiple categories). Violent crimes, though still the most common category (57.9% of total incidents), decreased by 26.7% from 30 to 22, a drop that may reflect seasonal factors or localized efforts. Violent crime in Axminster remains 8% above the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000, underscoring a persistent challenge in this category. The surge in criminal damage and arson—jumping from 3 to 6 incidents—was particularly pronounced, with the local rate (0.7 per 1,000) 52% above the UK average of 0.5. This suggests a need for targeted interventions in areas prone to such offenses, such as public spaces or high-traffic zones.

Axminster's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 4.3 per 1,000 residents, a 23.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.7 per 1,000. This decline positions the area as one of the UK’s safer locales, with the overall rate 32.8% below the national average of 6.4. On a daily basis, the town reported roughly one crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 231 residents. While this suggests a relatively low risk environment, the distribution of crime types reveals nuance. The population context—8,786 residents—means that even small absolute numbers can reflect significant shifts in local patterns. For instance, the 100% increase in vehicle crime, though numerically modest (from 1 to 2 incidents), highlights a specific vulnerability in the area’s infrastructure or resident behavior that warrants attention.