Welshpool Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,751 residents, Welshpool's 61 recorded crimes in February 2026 equate to 0.9% of the population experiencing a crime during the month. This translates to a crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 40.6% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. The stark imbalance in crime types reveals a profile heavily skewed toward violent and sexual offences, which accounted for 62.3% of all crimes (38 incidents) — 141% above the UK average for this category. This dominance of violent crime contrasts sharply with the relatively low rates of property-related offences, which made up just 14.6% of the total (9 incidents). The seasonal context of February, a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may contribute to the concentration of crimes in indoor or community settings. The area's crime profile shows a marked absence of typical rural crime patterns, suggesting a more urban character despite its location within Powys. The elevated rate of violent crime could be linked to local factors such as community events, alcohol-related incidents, or seasonal fluctuations in social interactions, though these remain speculative without further data.

February 2026 saw a 400% surge in 'other crime' — a category that rose from 1 to 5 incidents — marking the most dramatic month-on-month increase in any category. This spike, coupled with a 100% rise in public order offences (from 2 to 4), suggests a shift in the nature of incidents occurring in public spaces. Violent and sexual offences also increased by 15.2% (33 to 38), though this remains below the 400% jump in 'other crime'. Conversely, criminal damage and arson plummeted by 80% (from 5 to 1), potentially reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity or targeted interventions. The area's violent crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 — 141% above the UK average — highlights a critical disparity, particularly when compared to the UK's average of 2.3 per 1,000 for this category. Meanwhile, 'other theft' decreased by 20% (from 5 to 4), and drug-related offences fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), indicating potential local efforts to address these issues. Residents might find the 43% above-UK-average rate for 'other theft' (0.6 per 1,000) noteworthy, as it suggests persistent challenges in securing personal property despite the overall decline in this category.

Welshpool's crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 in February 2026 represents a 3.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 8.7 per 1,000. This upward trend, though modest, underscores the area's ongoing challenges in maintaining stability. On a daily basis, the 61 crimes reported over 28 days equate to roughly 2 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly low, translates to a significant impact when considered over the course of a month. For context, this means that over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 111 residents, a ratio that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the area's population of 6,751. When compared to the UK average, Welshpool's violent crime rate is particularly striking, being 141% above the national average for this category. However, the area's performance in other categories — such as anti-social behaviour (56% below UK average) and shoplifting (48% below UK average) — suggests that local efforts or environmental factors may be mitigating certain types of crime. The contrast between Welshpool's elevated violent crime rates and its relatively low property crime rates raises questions about the underlying dynamics of the area, which may be influenced by its built-up character within a predominantly rural county like Powys.