Southwater Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked an unexpected surge in two previously unreported crime categories, ‘Other theft’ and ‘Other crime,’ each doubling from January’s figures. This development contrasts sharply with declines in shoplifting and public order offences, which fell by 50% each. Despite these fluctuations, Southwater’s overall crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents remained 43.8% below the UK average, underscoring the area’s continued status as a low-crime environment. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.3% of total incidents, though this rate was 53% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, at 22.0% of all crimes, with a 12% gap from the national figure. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity—likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate, though the sudden rise in ‘Other crime’ defies straightforward seasonal explanations. This category, which was 167% above the UK average, may include unclassified incidents or underreported activities, warranting further scrutiny. The area’s low levels of violent crime, combined with its significantly below-average rates for property-related offences, suggest a combination of effective policing, community cohesion, and the built-up area’s relatively low population density. However, the spike in ‘Other crime’ highlights the need for more detailed categorisation to understand local trends fully.

February 2026 saw unexpected spikes in two categories previously unreported: ‘Other theft’ and ‘Other crime,’ both surging by 100% compared to January. This shift contrasts with declines in public order offences (down 50%) and shoplifting (down 50%), suggesting a reallocation of criminal activity. ���Other crime’—a category encompassing unclassified incidents—was 167% above the UK average, raising questions about its composition. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained 53% below the UK average at 1.1 per 1,000, reflecting a persistent trend in Southwater’s low levels of violent offending. The month-on-month increase in burglary (100%) may partly explain the rise in ‘Other crime,’ though the exact nature of these incidents remains unclear. Residents might find the 50% drop in shoplifting noteworthy, linked to reduced foot traffic during the winter lull.

Southwater’s crime rate in February 2026 rose to 3.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 41.4% increase from the previous month’s 2.6 per 1,000. While this upward trend is notable, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stands at 6.4 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly crime count translates to roughly one reported crime for every 276 residents over the course of February. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that aligns with the low overall rate. When compared to other built-up areas in the UK, Southwater’s crime profile highlights a stark contrast in specific categories—most the 167% above UK average rate for ‘Other crime,’ which may reflect localised incidents or underreported activities. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the month-on-month rise, the area remains one of the safest in the country, with crime levels far below national benchmarks.