Ross-on-Wye Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a nuanced picture for Ross-on-Wye’s crime profile, with the area’s overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents remaining 12.5% below the UK average. This figure, while modest, reflects a built-up area’s unique dynamics, where a smaller population and lower density may contribute to lower absolute crime numbers. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (27.4% of total), shoplifting (24.2%), and anti-social behaviour (17.7%), illustrating a mix of interpersonal and property-related challenges. Seasonal factors, such as the winter lull in outdoor activity, may have influenced these patterns, though the persistence of shoplifting—141% above the UK average—suggests ongoing pressure on retail environments. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell slightly from the previous month, aligning with the pre-spring lull in public activity. The area’s lower crime rate compared to the UK average may also be attributed to its character as a small, largely residential town within Herefordshire, where community cohesion and local policing efforts could play a role in mitigating crime. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting, combined with the significant increase in other thefts, indicates vulnerabilities in commercial sectors that warrant targeted interventions. These findings highlight the need for a balanced approach to crime prevention, addressing both immediate spikes and long-term trends.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with other thefts surging by 200% compared to the previous month, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This jump, while small in absolute terms, signals a potential emerging trend in property-related offences. Concurrently, drugs-related crimes doubled, and possession of weapons was reported for the first time in the month, both marking a 100% increase. These changes contrast with a 5.6% decline in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 18 to 17 incidents. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted: shoplifting, now the second most common offence, contributed 24.2% of total crimes, compared to 27.4% for violence. This mix highlights a combination of local factors and national trends. For residents, the 141% spike in shoplifting—far above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000—may warrant closer attention to retail security measures in the town’s commercial areas.

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in February 2026 rose by 19.2% compared to the previous month, reflecting a shift in local crime dynamics. The daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the ongoing presence of crime in the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 177 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area’s experience in context against its population of nearly 11,000. This statistic, when paired with the area’s low overall crime rate, suggests that while incidents remain relatively rare, the community’s vigilance is critical. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the rate is not only below the UK average but also distributed across a smaller, more tightly knit community, where local awareness may play a role in mitigating broader trends. This contrast with larger urban centres, where higher population density often correlates with higher absolute crime numbers, highlights the unique character of Ross-on-Wye’s crime picture.