Stratford-upon-Avon Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Stratford-upon-Avon during February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crime, shaped by the area's character as a historic town with a mix of tourism, retail, and residential areas. The overall crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents places the area 20.3% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, highlighting a need for targeted policing strategies. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 27% of all incidents—though this category was 9% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour (19.9% of total crimes) and shoplifting (16.8%) dominated the property crime profile, with both significantly exceeding UK benchmarks. This imbalance may partly reflect the town's retail presence, including Shakespearean-themed shops and tourist attractions, which could drive shoplifting. However, the high rate of anti-social behaviour may also be influenced by the seasonal context of February, a winter month with lower outdoor activity and higher indoor gatherings in pubs and restaurants. The relatively low burglary rate (1.8% of total crimes) suggests that residential areas may be more secure compared to other UK regions, though this could also be attributed to the area's smaller scale and community policing efforts. The data underscores a combination of local demographics, tourism, and seasonal factors that shape the area's crime mix.

February 2026 saw striking fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 275% compared to the previous month, rising from four incidents to 15. This dramatic increase may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the return of commuters or changes in traffic patterns during the winter months. Theft from the person also doubled, reflecting a 100% increase from one to two incidents, which could indicate a rise in opportunistic crimes in crowded areas. Conversely, possession of weapons dropped by 75%, from four to one incident, and bicycle theft fell by 66.7%, due to reduced outdoor activity in colder weather. The crime mix shifted significantly, with property crimes—particularly shoplifting and anti-social behaviour—dominating over violent offences. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.5 per 1,000 residents, was 65% above the UK average, suggesting a need for enhanced community engagement in public spaces. Meanwhile, shoplifting (1.3 per 1,000) was 124% above the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the town's retail density and tourist footfall. Residents might find the 275% rise in vehicle crime particularly concerning, as it suggests a potential vulnerability in local car parks or parking areas that warrant further investigation.

The crime rate in Stratford-upon-Avon for February 2026 fell to 7.7 per 1,000 residents, a 15.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in many UK towns during winter, where lower outdoor activity and fewer visitors may contribute to reduced crime opportunities. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately eight crimes per day over the 28-day period, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 226 incidents. When scaled to the population of 29,218 residents, this equates to one reported crime for every 129 residents over the course of the month—a metric that highlights the relative frequency of crime within a compact community. While the overall rate remains above the UK average, the drop from the previous month suggests that local policing measures or natural seasonal factors may have had a measurable impact. The comparison also reveals that certain categories, such as burglary and drugs-related offences, are significantly below UK averages, which may reflect the area's lower population density and stronger community ties compared to larger urban centres. These figures provide a nuanced picture of Stratford-upon-Avon's crime profile, balancing local trends with broader national benchmarks.