Wiltshire Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Wiltshire's crime rate in February 2026 remained 28.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, recording 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figures reflects a continued trend of lower-than-national-average crime levels. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.9%) and criminal damage and arson (9.0%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain patterns such as the dominance of indoor-focused crimes like violence and anti-social behaviour. While overall rates remain stable, the data suggests a potential link between seasonal transitions and shifts in criminal activity, with property crimes (21.1% of total) slightly outnumbering violent crimes for the first time in recent months. Wiltshire’s rural character, with limited urban centres, likely contributes to the absence of high-frequency crimes such as theft from the person or robbery, which are far below UK averages. However, the data also highlights areas for vigilance: the rise in drug-related crimes and public order incidents, which may be influenced by factors such as increased social gatherings during the pre-spring period or targeted enforcement efforts. Residents should remain cautious of these emerging trends, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of anti-social behaviour or public order violations.

February 2026 saw significant increases in bicycle theft (+42.9%, from 14 to 20 incidents), drug-related crimes (+42.2%, from 45 to 64), and public order offences (+19.1%, from 152 to 181). These rises contrast with declines in theft from the person (-46.7%, from 15 to 8) and robbery (-16.7%, from 6 to 5). The surge in drug-related crimes, now at 0.1 per 1,000 residents, is 57% below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000, suggesting localised issues rather than widespread proliferation. Public order offences, which rose to 0.4 per 1,000 (7.6% of total crimes), remain 2% below the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000, indicating a balance between local enforcement and national trends. Bicycle theft, while still low at 0.0 per 1,000 (100% below the UK average), highlights the need for increased security measures in areas with cycling infrastructure. Residents should be particularly vigilant in public spaces during evenings, as anti-social behaviour (17.9% of total crimes) and public order incidents (7.6%) have both seen notable rises, potentially linked to seasonal shifts in social activity. The contrast between these increases and the decline in theft from the person underscores the complexity of local crime dynamics, with factors such as weather, event scheduling, and community engagement likely playing a role.

Wiltshire’s crime rate in February 2026 remained unchanged from the previous month at 4.6 per 1,000, demonstrating stability over the short term. However, this rate continues to be 28.1% below the UK average, a consistent trend that reflects the area’s lower overall crime profile. On a daily basis, 86 crimes were reported across Wiltshire in February, equating to roughly one crime for every 219 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure, while low compared to national benchmarks, underscores the importance of localised awareness, as certain categories such as drug-related crimes and public order incidents have shown recent increases. The population context further illustrates the scale: with 523,700 residents, the 2,396 total crimes reported in February represent a relatively small proportion of the population, though the distribution of these crimes across categories reveals specific areas of concern. For instance, the 100% shortfall in bicycle theft compared to the UK average (0.0 vs 0.0 per 1,000) suggests either effective local deterrence measures or underreporting, a nuance that requires further analysis. Residents should interpret these statistics with an understanding of Wiltshire’s unique characteristics—its rural expanses and limited urban density—which likely contribute to both its overall safety and the specific patterns observed in crime types such as anti-social behaviour and public order offences.