Broadbridge Heath Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a subtle but notable shift in Broadbridge Heath’s crime profile, with the overall rate of 4.2 crimes per 1,000 residents remaining 34.4% below the UK average of 6.4. This continued underperformance relative to national figures suggests a combination of effective local policing, demographic factors, or geographic characteristics that limit opportunities for crime. The most common crimes were property-related, with shoplifting accounting for 25.8% of all incidents and vehicle crime contributing 16.1%. These figures align with patterns observed in small towns where retail spaces and parked vehicles—often concentrated in residential areas—serve as focal points for opportunistic theft. Seasonal factors may have played a role, as February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull could have reduced exposure to certain types of crime, such as public order offences. However, the sharp increase in shoplifting and vehicle crime highlights vulnerabilities in commercial and parking zones, which may be exacerbated by the area’s relatively low population density and limited surveillance infrastructure. The drop in violence and sexual offences—down 30% from January—could reflect seasonal trends, with colder weather and reduced social interactions contributing to a temporary decline. While the overall crime rate remains low, the specific distribution of incidents underscores the need for targeted measures in retail and vehicle-related crime prevention, particularly as the area transitions into the spring season.

February 2026 saw a 100% increase in other theft and anti-social behaviour, with the latter doubling from two to four incidents. This rise contrasts with a 30% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 10 to 7. The area’s shoplifting rate of 1.1 per 1,000 residents was 90% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, a stark divergence that may reflect local retail patterns or enforcement focus. Meanwhile, vehicle crime surged 100% to 0.7 per 1,000, far exceeding the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. These shifts suggest a combination of seasonal factors—such as reduced outdoor activity—and the area’s specific vulnerabilities, with retail spaces and parked vehicles emerging as focal points for criminal activity. For residents, the spike in shoplifting underscores the need for vigilance in high-footfall areas, while the drop in violence may indicate successful interventions or a temporary lull in conflict-related incidents.

Broadbridge Heath's crime rate in February 2026 rose by 28.9% compared to January, moving from 3.2 to 4.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though significant, still places the area 34.4% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. Locally, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 241 residents over the course of the month—a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the community. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day in February, a rate that, while consistent with previous months, reflects the relatively low overall crime levels characteristic of Broadbridge Heath. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the rise, the area remains safer than the national average, with property crimes and violent incidents both underrepresented compared to UK norms. This contrast underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the influence of the area’s specific demographic and geographic profile, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime.