Andover saw fewer crimes reported in the first three months of 2026 — but police made significantly more arrests, according to Andover Police Department data reported this week.

The headline numbers.

Total offenses dropped to 98 between January and March, down from 107 over the same stretch in 2025. Arrests, meanwhile, climbed to 61 from 50 — a contrast that suggests police were catching more of what did happen, even as overall crime ticked down.

What drove the arrest increase.

Two categories did most of the heavy lifting: DUI charges rose to 11 from seven, and a catchall "all other offenses" category jumped to 10 from four. Juvenile arrests more than doubled, climbing to seven from three the year before.

Why fewer crimes were reported overall.

Larceny explains most of the decline. Non-shoplifting theft cases fell to 24 from 37, accounting for the bulk of the nine-offense drop. Vandalism cases dipped slightly too, from 11 to eight — though police actually made four arrests in those cases this year (three involving juveniles), compared to zero vandalism arrests the year before. Drug and narcotics cases held roughly steady, five versus six, but drug-related arrests fell sharply, from 11 down to four.

Crimes against people, largely unchanged.

Aggravated assaults held steady at nine cases, with eight arrests versus seven a year ago. Simple assaults dipped slightly to 17 from 19, with 14 arrests. One rape was reported this quarter, compared to none in the same period last year. Three weapon law violations were reported, resulting in four arrests including one juvenile — a category that recorded zero incidents in early 2025.

Fraud ticked up.

False pretenses and confidence-game cases rose to seven from four, though none resulted in arrests this year. Identity theft cases climbed slightly to five from four. One robbery was reported with one arrest, compared to zero robberies in the same period last year.

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The Andover Police Department hasn't publicly explained what's driving the rise in DUI enforcement or juvenile arrests. The figures were reported by andovermanews.com, citing official department data.