Ashton-in-Makerfield Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Ashton-in-Makerfield’s crime profile in February 2026 reveals a landscape shaped by both seasonal dynamics and local characteristics. The overall crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 residents places the area 89.1% below the UK average, a figure that underscores the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement in maintaining low levels of criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 61.5% of all crimes, with a notable 11.1% decrease from the previous month, reflecting a trend that may be influenced by the winter season’s impact on outdoor activity and social interactions. This reduction in violent crime, despite the absence of specific interventions highlighted in the data, could be partially explained by the natural decline in public gatherings and the shift in focus towards indoor spaces during colder months. However, the rise in property-related crimes—criminal damage and arson, other crime, and burglary—suggests a reallocation of criminal activity, driven by unseasonal weather patterns or changes in local routines. The built-up nature of the area, with its mix of residential and commercial properties, may create an environment where property crimes are more feasible, though the low overall rate indicates that such opportunities are not frequently exploited. The seasonal context of February, a time of year when many communities experience a lull in outdoor engagement, may also contribute to the observed stability in crime rates, as reduced foot traffic and social activity can deter certain types of offences. Residents may take comfort in the fact that the monthly exposure to crime—roughly one incident per 1,348 residents—presents a minimal risk compared to other UK areas, though vigilance remains necessary to address the small but notable increases in property-related incidents. The interplay between seasonal factors and local demographics highlights the importance of maintaining community-focused initiatives that address both immediate and long-term crime prevention strategies.

February 2026 saw an 11.1% decrease in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 9 to 8 incidents. This reduction, though modest, contrasts with significant increases in other categories: criminal damage and arson rose by 100% (from 0 to 3), while other crime and burglary each doubled (from 0 to 1). These shifts in crime mix highlight a potential reallocation of criminal activity, possibly influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during winter. The rate of violence and sexual offences in the area was 78% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 57% below average for criminal damage and arson. For residents, the most immediate insight is the drop in violent crimes, which may reflect targeted local efforts or natural seasonal trends. However, the sharp rise in property-related offences, though numerically small, warrants attention, particularly given their alignment with UK averages. These findings illustrate the nuanced nature of crime patterns, where decreases in one category may coincide with increases in others. The fact that no property-related crimes were reported in the previous month but three occurred in February suggests a possible shift in criminal focus, linked to changes in local routines or unseasonal weather conditions. Residents may find the daily crime rate of zero particularly reassuring, as it indicates that the likelihood of encountering crime on any given day is exceptionally low compared to other UK areas.

Ashton-in-Makerfield’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, a 7.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 0.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of February, a winter month typically associated with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in community engagement. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 1,348 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, the area’s crime rate remains strikingly lower, though this comparison does not directly reflect daily patterns. The daily crime context reveals that, on average, there were 0 crimes reported per day in February 2026, a statistic that highlights the stability of the local crime environment. This low daily frequency, combined with the area’s population-scaled perspective, suggests that residents may experience a sense of security that is uncommon in many other parts of the UK. However, such figures should be interpreted within the broader context of the area’s specific characteristics and local dynamics. The built-up nature of the area, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces, may contribute to this stability, as higher population density can both deter and concentrate certain types of crime. Nevertheless, the absence of daily incidents does not eliminate the need for vigilance, particularly in light of the month-on-month shifts observed in specific crime categories.