Normanton (Wakefield) Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 22,095 residents, 151 crimes were recorded in Normanton (Wakefield) during February 2026, translating to a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 people. This places the area 6.2% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, reflecting a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety relative to national benchmarks. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.1% of all reported incidents (62 cases), followed by shoplifting (15.9%) and anti-social behaviour (9.9%). These figures align with patterns typical of built-up areas within larger urban centres, where high foot traffic and community density can contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Seasonal context suggests that February, as a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, may have seen a pre-spring lull in certain crime types, though the dominance of violent offences indicates ongoing pressures in social and residential spaces. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.3 per 1,000, but Normanton’s rate of 2.8 per 1,000 highlights a 21% disparity, likely linked to local factors such as community cohesion or resource allocation. Shoplifting, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 90% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting a possible correlation with retail activity or enforcement priorities in the area. Anti-social behaviour, however, is 23% below the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), which may reflect effective community policing or lower incidence of disruptive conduct in public spaces. These trends underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the specific challenges of Normanton and broader regional patterns.

February 2026 saw significant fluctuations in crime types compared to January, with shoplifting increasing by 60% (from 15 to 24 cases) and possession of weapons doubling (from 1 to 2). Theft from the person also rose sharply, with one incident reported—a 100% increase from the previous month’s zero cases. These jumps may reflect seasonal shifts, such as increased indoor gatherings or targeted retail theft during pre-spring planning periods. Conversely, burglary dropped by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 cases), and criminal damage and arson fell by 9.1% (from 11 to 10), potentially indicating improved security measures or reduced outdoor activity during colder months. The crime mix also shifted, with violent crimes (62 cases) accounting for 41.1% of total incidents, compared to property crimes (55 cases, 36.4%). This imbalance suggests a greater focus on interpersonal crime, which is 21% above the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Shoplifting, while 90% above the UK average, may be influenced by local retail density or enforcement challenges. Anti-social behaviour, however, remains 23% below the UK average, pointing to areas where community engagement or policing strategies may be more effective. These findings highlight the need for tailored approaches that address both rising and declining crime trends in the area.

The crime rate in February 2026 (6.8 per 1,000) represents an 11.8% increase from January’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000, reflecting a sharp upward trend over the past month. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly 5 crimes per day in Normanton, a figure that, while localised, offers a tangible sense of frequency for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 146 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the area’s population of 22,095, illustrates the proportion of the community affected by crime. This rate is higher than the UK average, but such comparisons are aggregated across diverse regions, some of which may have starkly different socio-economic profiles. The population-scaled perspective reveals that 151 crimes in a built-up area of this size is a significant figure, particularly when considering that violent crimes alone account for over 40% of the total. This suggests that localised factors—such as community dynamics, resource availability, or enforcement priorities—may play a more pronounced role than national averages indicate. While the increase in violent crimes and shoplifting is concerning, the decline in burglary and criminal damage indicates that some interventions may be working, albeit unevenly across crime types.