Melton Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Melton's overall crime rate in February 2026 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 35.9% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This reflects a consistent trend of lower-than-average crime rates in the area, which aligns with the characteristics of a largely rural district where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and criminal damage and arson (9.9%). These figures contrast with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000), where Melton's rate of 1.8 per 1,000 is 22% lower. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may influence crime patterns, with fewer opportunities for theft and public order offences compared to busier periods. However, the persistence of violence and sexual offences suggests ongoing challenges in addressing interpersonal conflicts and ensuring community safety, even in areas with generally lower crime rates. The data also highlights Melton's significantly lower rates for shoplifting (66% below UK average) and burglary (60% below UK average), which could be linked to the area's smaller retail footprint and lower population density. These findings underscore the need to balance general safety improvements with targeted interventions in specific crime categories.

February 2026 saw a sharp 79.6% drop in shoplifting, falling from 54 to 11 incidents—a decline that may reflect the seasonal lull in retail activity and reduced foot traffic during winter. This contrasted with notable increases in anti-social behaviour (+54.5%) and 'other crime' (+57.1%), which rose to 34 and 11 incidents respectively. These shifts suggest a possible reallocation of criminal activity toward more persistent, low-level offences as temporary factors like seasonal retail demand recede. The category of 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or less common offences—rose to 11 incidents, a 57.1% increase from January. While this category is not explicitly defined in the data, its rise could indicate underreported or emerging issues requiring further local investigation. Melton's violence rate (1.8 per 1,000) remained 22% below the UK average for the same category, a consistency that may reflect the area's broader success in managing interpersonal crime through community policing or social services. However, the 34% gap between Melton's anti-social behaviour rate (0.6 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.9 per 1,000) highlights a potential area for targeted intervention, particularly in addressing disturbances that could escalate into more serious incidents.

Melton's crime rate in February 2026 (4.1 per 1,000) marked a 25.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.5 per 1,000, a decline that translates to approximately 8 crimes reported per day across the district's population of 54,052 residents. This daily figure provides a tangible benchmark for residents: over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 243 residents, a rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. The month-on-month reduction underscores a potential stabilization in crime trends, though such fluctuations can be influenced by factors like weather patterns or temporary local events. The comparison to the UK average also highlights Melton's structural advantages—its lower population density and rural character likely contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime, such as vehicle-related offences (43% below UK average) and burglary (60% below UK average). However, the 33% gap between Melton's 'other crime' rate and the UK average (0.1 per 1,000) suggests that while the area excels in reducing common offences, it may require additional resources to address less frequent but potentially more complex categories. For residents, the 1-in-243 monthly exposure rate offers reassurance that the likelihood of experiencing a crime remains relatively low, though community vigilance remains essential in maintaining this trend.