Atherstone Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 9,026 residents, 99 crimes reported in February 2026 equates to 11.0 crimes per 1,000 people — more than double the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This built-up area within North Warwickshire experiences crime rates significantly higher than the national benchmark, with violent crimes dominating the landscape. Violence and sexual offences alone accounted for 45 of the total, representing 45.5% of all incidents, while anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed closely. The seasonal context of February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may likely contribute to patterns seen here. However, the concentration of violent crime in a relatively small population suggests other factors at play, such as the area's social dynamics or local infrastructure. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.3 per 1,000, yet Atherstone's rate is 116% higher, indicating a stark deviation from typical regional trends. This disparity could reflect a combination of local challenges, including potential issues with community cohesion or policing effectiveness, though further analysis would be required to confirm these hypotheses. The data also shows that property crimes, while lower in absolute numbers than violent crimes, remain a concern, with shoplifting and criminal damage and arson each contributing nearly 8% of the total. These figures highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing the root causes of violent crime, which appears to be the most pressing issue in this area.

February 2026 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+166.7%), burglary (+100%), and possession of weapons (+100%) compared to January. This surge in shoplifting — from 3 to 8 incidents — may be linked to seasonal retail patterns, such as end-of-month promotions or pre-Christmas stocktaking. Meanwhile, the doubling of burglary cases raises questions about targeted vulnerabilities in local properties, though no specific data points suggest a clear cause. Atherstone's rate of violence and sexual offences (5.0 per 1,000) is 116% above the UK average, underscoring a significant local challenge. Anti-social behaviour, while still above the UK average (98% higher), decreased by 23.8% (from 21 to 16 cases), potentially reflecting the impact of winter weather on outdoor gatherings. The contrast between these trends — rising shoplifting and burglary alongside falling anti-social behaviour — suggests shifting patterns in criminal activity. For residents, the 166.7% increase in shoplifting is a concrete data point that could inform local business strategies, such as enhanced security measures or community engagement initiatives. The spike in weapon possession cases, which are 186% above the UK average, also warrants attention, though the absence of contextual data means any explanation remains speculative.

Atherstone's crime rate rose from 8.2 per 1,000 in January 2026 to 11.0 per 1,000 in February, a 33.8% increase. This jump places the town's monthly exposure at one reported crime for every 91 residents — a figure that, while localised, highlights the density of incidents in a relatively small population. On a daily basis, the area experiences roughly 4 crimes per day, a rate that, while not uncommon for built-up areas, remains striking given the town's size. When scaled to the population, the 11.0 per 1,000 rate translates to 100 crimes for every 10,000 residents, a stark contrast to the UK average of 64. This discrepancy underscores the need for localised analysis, as national averages may not fully capture regional variations. The daily crime context — 4 incidents per day — provides a tangible measure for residents, though it does not account for the distribution of crime types. For example, the 45 violent crimes in February would equate to 1.6 such incidents per day, a figure that, when paired with the 7.1% of total crimes being vehicle-related, suggests a mix of street-level and property-focused activities. The comparison to the previous month's rate also reveals a clear upward trend, which, if sustained, could signal broader systemic issues requiring targeted policing or community-based solutions.