Featherstone Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2026, Featherstone (Wakefield) recorded 107 crimes across a population of 12,098, translating to a crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 37.5% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a significant disparity that underscores local challenges in crime prevention. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark focus on violent and property-related incidents, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 37.4% of all reported crimes—3.3 per 1,000 residents. This category alone is 42% above the UK average, suggesting a high level of interpersonal crime in the area. Criminal damage and arson, at 1.2 per 1,000, were 161% above the UK rate, a figure that may reflect underlying tensions in the built-up urban environment. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may contribute to the concentration of crimes in indoor spaces or areas with limited surveillance. However, the lack of major fluctuations in the overall rate compared to January (8.9 per 1,000) suggests that systemic factors, rather than temporary events, are driving the current crime profile. The prominence of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting also aligns with patterns seen in urban centres, where public spaces and retail areas are common targets. These trends may be influenced by the area's character as a built-up district within Wakefield, where community density and economic activity could intersect to create environments conducive to certain types of crime.

February saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Anti-social behaviour surged by 85.7% compared to January, rising from 7 to 13 incidents—a jump that may reflect seasonal patterns or increased indoor activity during colder weather. Possession of weapons, though a minor category, saw a 100% increase, moving from zero to one reported incident. This spike, though isolated, raises questions about local enforcement or reporting practices. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 42.9% (from 7 to 4), potentially linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter. The crime mix also showed stark UK comparisons: criminal damage and arson were 161% above the UK average, while other theft was 29% below. These disparities highlight the area's unique challenges, with property crimes affecting Featherstone compared to national trends. For residents, the 100% increase in weapon possession—though a single incident—may signal a need for targeted awareness.

Featherstone's crime rate in February 2026 remained stable at 8.9 per 1,000 compared to the previous month, reflecting a 1.0% decrease. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall crime trends during the winter period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day, a figure that highlights the frequency of incidents in a built-up area with a population of 12,098. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 113 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the impact of crime on the local community. While this figure is slightly higher than the UK average, the stability in the month-on-month rate indicates that the area's crime dynamics are not undergoing significant change. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a higher-than-average risk compared to the UK, though the lack of dramatic fluctuation suggests underlying factors—such as local infrastructure or community initiatives—may be maintaining a relative balance.