Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile for Sunbury-on-Thames in February 2026 reveals a notable emphasis on violent crime, with violence and sexual offences comprising 41% of all reported incidents. This stands in contrast to the UK average, where such offences account for 14% of total crimes. The overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 21.9% below the UK average of 6.4, a disparity that may reflect the area's character as a commuter town with a relatively stable residential population. Anti-social behaviour (14.3% of total crimes) and public order offences (6.7%) also feature prominently, suggesting patterns linked to local social dynamics or environmental factors. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—may partly explain the relative absence of crimes typically associated with warmer weather, such as shoplifting or public order issues in outdoor spaces. However, the high share of violent crime compared to the UK average raises questions about local factors, such as community tensions or targeted policing efforts. The data also shows a marked absence of property crimes, which account for only 24.8% of total incidents (26 crimes), far below the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. This could indicate a lower incidence of burglary or vehicle crime in the area, linked to its compact built-up nature and proximity to larger urban centres where such crimes might be more common. The balance of crime types suggests a focus on interpersonal issues rather than economic or property-related offences, a distinction that may reflect the area's demographic makeup or its role as a commuter hub with less commercial activity compared to major urban centres.

February 2026 saw a 36.8% year-on-year decline in Sunbury-on-Thames' crime rate, dropping from 7.9 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This decrease was most pronounced in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 70.6% (17 to 5 incidents), and public order offences, down 65.0% (20 to 7). These reductions align with the winter season's low outdoor activity, which may limit opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour increased by 7.1% (14 to 15 incidents), a shift that could reflect seasonal social patterns or localized pressures within the community. The crime mix also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: while violence and sexual offences are 14% below the national rate, categories like 'other crime' and 'drugs' are 100% and 30% above the UK average, respectively. This divergence highlights the area's unique dynamics, with potential links to local social services, community engagement, or unmet needs. Shoplifting fell by 50.0% (2 to 1 incident), a sharp drop that may indicate effective retail security measures or a seasonal lull in commercial activity. Residents might find the monthly exposure figure of one crime per 201 residents useful for contextualizing risk, though this remains a low-frequency metric compared to larger urban areas.

Sunbury-on-Thames' crime rate in February 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a significant improvement from the previous month's rate of 7.9 per 1,000, a 36.8% decline. This reduction is particularly evident in categories like public order and criminal damage, which saw steep month-on-month drops. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 4 crimes per day over the 28-day period, a figure that appears modest when compared to larger cities but is typical for a commuter town with a population of 21,149. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 201 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. This statistic may resonate more with local residents than the UK-wide daily crime comparisons, which are not available for this area. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Sunbury-on-Thames' crime rate is 21.9% below the UK average, a difference that could be attributed to its relatively stable residential demographics and proximity to London, where policing resources and community engagement initiatives might indirectly influence local crime trends. While the area's low crime rate is a positive indicator, the above-average rates for 'other crime' and 'drugs' suggest targeted challenges that may require tailored interventions, distinct from the broader UK context.