Wem Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,299, Wem recorded 35 crimes in February 2026, translating to a rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents—12.5% below the UK average of 6.4. This figure places the area in a comparatively safer position nationally. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 17 incidents (48.6% of total), a rate of 2.7 per 1,000—16% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed with 9 cases (25.7%), a rate of 1.4 per 1,000—54% above the UK average, suggesting a potential link to seasonal factors such as the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity. The winter month context may partly explain the lower rates of property crimes, which typically peak during busier retail periods. However, the absence of significant seasonal shopping activity in February could contribute to the relatively low shoplifting rate (0.5 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.6. The area's built-up character within Shropshire likely influences these patterns, with a mix of residential and commercial spaces creating a unique crime profile. While violent crime remains a concern, the overall rate remains below the national benchmark, indicating that local factors may temper broader UK trends in this region.

February saw a 350% increase in anti-social behaviour, with cases rising from 2 to 9. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in shoplifting (from 0 to 3), highlights a notable shift in the crime mix. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category at 17 incidents (48.6% of total), a rate of 2.7 per 1,000—16% above the UK average for this category. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime both fell 14% below their respective UK averages, reflecting a more balanced distribution of property-related offences compared to the national trend. A resident might find the 1-in-180 monthly exposure figure particularly useful for contextualising the likelihood of encountering crime in their local area. The decrease in criminal damage and arson by 66.7% (from 3 to 1) contrasts sharply with the upward trends in other categories, illustrating a complex mix of local dynamics affecting crime patterns.

Wem's crime rate in February 2026 rose 45.9% compared to January's 3.8 per 1,000, reaching 5.6 per 1,000. While this increase marks a shift from the previous month, the rate remains 12.5% below the UK average of 6.4. Daily crime statistics show one reported crime occurred roughly every 28 days in February, translating to a local frequency of one crime per day. This equates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 180 residents in the area, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within Wem's population of 6,299. When considering population context, the rate of 5.6 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting that while local crime dynamics have shifted, the overall profile remains comparatively safer than the national trend. The combination of seasonal factors and local characteristics may help explain this divergence.