Wakefield Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2026, Wakefield recorded a crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 32.8% above the UK average of 6.4. This figure translates to one reported crime for every 118 residents over the course of the month, highlighting a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety within the district. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.3% of all reported crimes—significantly higher than the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. This category alone was 55% above the national benchmark, a disparity that may partly explain the overall elevated rate in Wakefield. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 9.6% of total crimes, while criminal damage and arson accounted for 7.6%. These patterns suggest a combination of local social dynamics and broader regional trends. Seasonal factors may also play a role: February, as a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, could influence crime patterns by reducing opportunities for certain types of offences while concentrating others in indoor or urban spaces. However, the persistence of high rates in violence and property crimes indicates deeper structural issues that extend beyond temporary seasonal shifts. The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent crime is concentrated, while also addressing the broader socioeconomic factors that contribute to anti-social behaviour and property-related offences.

February 2026 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with theft from the person increasing by 36.4% (from 11 to 15 incidents) and possession of weapons rising by 21.9% (from 32 to 39). These increases may reflect heightened tensions in certain communities or shifts in criminal activity patterns during the winter months. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 45.5% (from 11 to 6), a decline that could be linked to reduced outdoor activity and colder weather deterring such crimes. Robbery also decreased by 15.0% (from 40 to 34), though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast between Wakefield and the UK average: violence and sexual offences were 55% above the national rate, while theft from the person was 100% below. This divergence highlights the unique challenges faced by Wakefield, where violent crime is concentrated compared to other areas. Anti-social behaviour, though 12% below the UK average, still constitutes a significant portion of reported crimes, suggesting that community-level interventions may be necessary to address underlying issues. The data also shows that shoplifting and vehicle crime were 3% and 43% above the UK average, respectively, indicating that retail and transport hubs in Wakefield may be particularly vulnerable to these types of offences. Residents may find it useful to note that violent crime accounted for over 40% of all incidents, a figure that underscores the importance of local policing strategies focused on reducing aggression and conflict in public spaces.

Wakefield's crime rate in February 2026 (8.5 per 1,000) marked a 4.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.9 per 1,000, indicating a slight but measurable improvement in overall crime levels. On a daily basis, the district experienced approximately 112 crimes per day, a figure that, while lower than the previous month, still reflects a high frequency of incidents relative to the UK average. When considered on a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure of one crime for every 118 residents illustrates the tangible risk faced by Wakefield's residents. This translates to a 1-in-118 chance of experiencing a crime over the course of a month, a statistic that may feel more immediate to individuals than aggregate rates. The comparison to the UK average further contextualises these figures: while Wakefield's overall rate remains significantly higher than the national benchmark, the month-on-month decline suggests that targeted efforts to address specific crime types may be yielding some results. For instance, the 15% reduction in robbery and the 45.5% drop in bicycle theft could indicate the effectiveness of local policing initiatives or seasonal factors that naturally suppress certain types of crime. However, the continued elevation of violent crime and property-related offences highlights the need for sustained investment in community safety measures. The data also reveals that while some categories—like theft from the person—are performing better than the UK average, others, such as violence and sexual offences, remain alarmingly high. This mixed picture underscores the complexity of addressing crime in Wakefield, where improvements in some areas must be balanced against persistent challenges in others.