Redcar and Cleveland Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a notable shift in Redcar and Cleveland's crime profile, with the overall crime rate standing at 10.1 per 1,000 residents—57.8% above the UK average of 6.4. This figure reflects a persistent challenge for the area, which has consistently recorded higher-than-average crime levels compared to the rest of the country. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and criminal damage and arson (12.3%). These patterns align with the district's characteristics as a coastal industrial town with a mix of urban and semi-rural areas, where high foot traffic in commercial zones and the presence of older housing stock may contribute to persistent issues in certain categories. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role: as a winter month with low outdoor activity, February typically sees a pre-spring lull in some crime types, though this was offset by spikes in others. The data suggests that while anti-social behaviour and property crime remain significant concerns, the area's violent crime rate is particularly striking, with violence and sexual offences 42% above the UK average. This may be influenced by local socioeconomic factors, including the proximity to major transport routes and the concentration of population in areas with limited retail and leisure amenities. The overall crime rate, though stable compared to the previous month, underscores the need for continued monitoring of trends in specific categories, particularly those showing marked increases or decreases.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in February 2026 was the 27.8% increase in other theft, rising from 54 to 69 incidents. This category's sharp rise contrasts with the 80% drop in bicycle theft, which fell from five to one incident, and the 66.7% decrease in theft from the person, which dropped from three to one. These fluctuations suggest potential changes in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity and shifts in public behaviour during colder months. Meanwhile, public order offences rose by 20.9%, marking a 12.3% share of total crimes—well above the UK average for this category. This increase could be connected to the area's coastal location, where winter months may see more indoor gatherings or disruptions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 16.7% of all reported crimes, remained 87% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the district's mix of urban and semi-rural areas, where noise complaints and nuisance-related incidents are more common. Vehicle crime was the only category performing below the UK average (14% lower), which may be attributed to the relatively low density of car parks and commercial areas in the region. For residents, the sharp rise in other theft—though not explicitly defined in the data—could signal a need for heightened vigilance in personal property security, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or transient populations.

Despite the overall crime rate remaining stable at 10.1 per 1,000 compared to the previous month's 10.0, the daily crime context in February 2026 highlights a significant local burden. With 1406 crimes reported over 28 days, the district experienced an average of 50 crimes per day—equivalent to one reported crime for every 99 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure, while illustrative of the scale of crime, must be contextualised within the broader population of 139,228 residents. The rate of 10.1 per 1,000 places Redcar and Cleveland far above the UK average, with the area's violent crime rate (3.3 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour rate (1.7 per 1,000) both exceeding national benchmarks by substantial margins. However, the localised nature of some crime types—such as vehicle crime, which is 14% below the UK average—suggests that not all categories follow the same trajectory. This disparity may be influenced by the area's specific geography and demographics, including its industrial heritage and the distribution of population across coastal and inland communities. For residents, the comparison to the UK average underscores the need for targeted policing and community initiatives, particularly in areas where crime rates are high relative to national trends. The stability in the overall rate compared to January 2026 does not obscure the fact that the district continues to face challenges in managing crime levels, particularly in categories where the gap from the UK average remains significant.