Stafford Crime Rate February 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 141,556 residents, Stafford recorded 643 crimes in February 2023, equating to 4.5 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 34.8% below the UK average of 6.9 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest crime rates in the country for this period. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (48.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.5%) and other theft (9.0%). These figures contrast sharply with the UK averages for these categories, which are 2.5 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences, 1.0 per 1,000 for anti-social behaviour, and 0.5 per 1,000 for other theft. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the lower-than-expected rates for property crimes such as vehicle crime (56 incidents, 0.4 per 1,000) and burglary (16 incidents, 0.1 per 1,000). However, the high proportion of violent crimes suggests local factors, such as community dynamics or service provision, could be influencing this trend. The data also shows significant underperformance against UK averages for categories like public order offences (47% below) and shoplifting (77% below), indicating systemic differences in crime patterns that warrant further analysis.

February 2023 saw a stark contrast in crime distribution compared to the UK average, with violence and sexual offences (2.2 per 1,000) remaining 11% below the national rate. This category alone accounted for nearly half of all crimes in Stafford, highlighting a persistent focus on interpersonal conflict or domestic issues. Meanwhile, property crime rates were lower than expected, with vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) 56% below the UK average and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) 68% below. These figures suggest that factors such as increased policing in high-risk areas, community engagement initiatives, or local infrastructure (e.g. secure parking facilities) may be contributing to reduced property crime. The data also reveals an unexpected underperformance in anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000, 28% below UK average), which could reflect either effective interventions by local authorities or demographic characteristics of the area. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the 48.7% share of violent crimes, which may indicate a need for targeted support services or community safety programmes. The absence of significant increases in any category compared to previous months further underscores the stability of crime patterns in Stafford during this period.

In February 2023, Stafford’s crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents translated to roughly 23 crimes per day, a figure that is 34.8% below the UK average. Over the course of the month, this equated to one reported crime for every 220 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable areas. When scaled to the local population of 141,556, the 643 recorded crimes represent a proportionally small impact, suggesting that the area’s crime prevention strategies or demographic characteristics may be contributing to this outcome. The daily crime count provides a tangible context for residents: on average, each day saw approximately 23 incidents across all categories, from violent crimes to anti-social behaviour. This figure, while seemingly high, is mitigated by the area’s size and the relatively low overall rate compared to national benchmarks. The monthly exposure metric—1-in-220 residents—offers a further perspective, illustrating that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime in Stafford is lower than in many other parts of the UK. This comparative advantage, particularly in categories like shoplifting (77% below UK average) and public order offences (47% below), suggests that local factors—such as community policing efforts, economic stability, or infrastructure—may be playing a role in maintaining this lower crime profile.