Polegate Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Polegate in February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crime, shaped by seasonal factors and local characteristics. With a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents—21.9% below the UK average—the area remains relatively safe compared to national benchmarks. The breakdown shows violence and sexual offences (17 incidents) making up 30.4% of total crimes, followed by shoplifting (13 incidents) at 23.2% and anti-social behaviour (11 incidents) at 19.6%. This mix suggests a tension between indoor social dynamics and retail vulnerabilities, particularly in the winter months when outdoor activity declines. The prominence of shoplifting, which is 107% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, may be partly explained by the area's retail presence and the pre-spring lull in consumer spending. Conversely, violent crime rates (1.5 per 1,000) are 35% below the UK average, consistent with the characteristics of a smaller built-up area where community cohesion and limited nightlife may contribute to lower levels of interpersonal conflict. The seasonal context of February—a month marked by low outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours—likely amplifies indoor interactions, explaining the proportion of anti-social behaviour incidents. However, the absence of major spikes in burglary or vehicle crime suggests that the area's compact nature and effective local policing may mitigate some risks associated with rural isolation. The overall pattern illustrates a community navigating the challenges of a winter month with a crime profile that balances local specifics against broader national trends.

February 2026 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, including other theft (200% rise from 1 to 3 incidents) and burglary (100% rise from 0 to 3 incidents). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, reflect emerging vulnerabilities that may be linked to seasonal factors or local dynamics. The crime mix also reveals a striking contrast: while violence and sexual offences (17 incidents) accounted for 30.4% of total crimes, shoplifting (13 incidents) was 107% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This divergence suggests a combination of factors, including the area's retail presence and the winter lull in outdoor activity. Anti-social behaviour (11 incidents) was also 10% above the UK average, potentially indicating heightened tensions in public spaces during colder months. For residents, the 107% spike in shoplifting highlights the need for vigilance in local businesses during the pre-spring period.

Polegate's crime rate in February 2026 rose by 43.9% compared to the previous month's 3.5 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a notable upward trend. This increase, while still below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, underscores a shift in local patterns that may warrant closer attention. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 28-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When scaled to the population of 11,256, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 201 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average (which would require a UK-specific figure for comparison), it highlights the relative safety of Polegate even as its rate has increased. The population context further illustrates that the 56 total crimes reported represent a manageable proportion of the local community, though the month-on-month rise suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of emerging trends.