Bishop's Stortford Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Bishop's Stortford recorded 270 crimes in February 2026, translating to a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents — 4.7% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This figure. increase from January, remains consistent with the area's character as a built-up town within East Hertfordshire, where a mix of residential and commercial zones shape crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences (99 incidents, 36.7% of total) dominated the monthly tally, reflecting the impact of high-traffic areas and late-night activity in parts of the town centre. Anti-social behaviour (50 incidents, 18.5%) followed closely, likely tied to the proximity of educational institutions and commuter hubs that see fluctuating population densities. Shoplifting (32 incidents, 11.9%) emerged as the third most common category, a trend consistent with retail districts that attract transient populations during off-peak hours. The seasonal context of February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may partly explain the persistence of property crimes despite the overall rate being below the UK average. However, the area's relatively low burglary and vehicle crime rates (both 0.2 per 1,000) suggest effective community policing or environmental deterrents in place for residential and parked vehicles.

February 2026 saw the most dramatic month-on-month shift in shoplifting, which surged by 146.2% from 13 to 32 incidents — a stark contrast to the 11.9% UK average for the category. This spike, while not uncommon during periods of low outdoor activity, may be linked to the proximity of Bishop's Stortford's High Street to retail parks that draw shoppers during colder months. Bicycle theft also doubled from 2 to 4 incidents, a figure 150% above the UK average, potentially reflecting increased bicycle usage in nearby commuter areas or a lack of secure parking facilities for cyclists. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 100.0% (from 1 to 2 incidents), a figure 43% above the UK average, though the small absolute number makes interpretation cautious. On the other hand, other crime fell by 50.0% (from 4 to 2 incidents), and theft from the person dropped by 50.0% (from 2 to 1), both figures below the UK averages. The balance between property and violent crimes shifted slightly, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 36.7% of total crimes — a proportion higher than the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000, 1% below Bishop's Stortford's rate). This suggests a localised concentration of violent incidents that may be tied to the town's demographic mix of students, commuters, and long-term residents.

Bishop's Stortford's crime rate in February 2026 (6.1 per 1,000) marked a 16.3% increase from January's rate of 5.3 per 1,000, a rise that translates to roughly 10 crimes per day over the 28-day period. This daily figure, while consistent with the area's built-up character, remains lower than the UK average when considering the town's population of 44,015 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 163 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, while not uncommon for a mid-sized town, highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. Comparing this to the previous month, the increase was most pronounced in property crimes, which rose from 113 (January) to 143 (February), driven by the surge in shoplifting and bicycle theft. This shift underscores the influence of seasonal patterns on retail-related crimes, as colder weather may push more activity indoors or towards high-traffic commercial zones. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Bishop's Stortford's rate of 6.1 per 1,000 places it in the lower half of UK towns and cities, a position reinforced by its significantly lower burglary (20% below UK average) and vehicle crime (43% below) rates, which may reflect effective street lighting, CCTV coverage, or community engagement initiatives in key areas.