Hemel Hempstead Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of nearly 100,000 residents, Hemel Hempstead's 936 recorded crimes in May 2023 equate to a rate of 9.6 per 1,000 people, placing it 20% above the UK average of 8.0. This figure, while not extreme, reflects a pattern of elevated activity in a built-up area with significant retail and residential zones. The crime profile is dominated by anti-social behaviour (256 incidents, 27.4% of total), violence and sexual offences (223, 23.8%), and shoplifting (97, 10.4%). These categories align with the area's character as a commuter town with a mix of commercial and residential spaces, where anti-social behaviour may be exacerbated by high foot traffic and social gatherings during warmer evenings. Seasonal factors in May—longer daylight hours, bank holidays, and the transition from spring to summer—likely contribute to increased outdoor activity, which may partly explain the 64.4% rise in shoplifting compared to April. The violent crime rate, though 17% below the UK average, remains a concern, with 223 incidents recorded. This balance between property and violent crime suggests a combination of local dynamics, including the presence of retail centres and the influence of seasonal social patterns. The data also highlights stark regional differences: anti-social behaviour in Hemel Hempstead is 95% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be linked to the town's proximity to London and its role as a hub for both commuters and local residents. These findings underscore the need for targeted policing strategies and community engagement initiatives to address the most pressing issues while maintaining the area's overall safety.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in robbery and possession of weapons, both rising by 150% from April. Robbery incidents surged from 4 to 10, a jump that could reflect heightened activity in public spaces during longer evenings. Shoplifting also rose by 64.4%, with 97 incidents reported, significantly above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, contributing 27.4% of all crimes, a rate 95% higher than the UK average. Meanwhile, drugs-related offences fell by 10%, and 'other crime' decreased by 18.8%, though these declines were modest compared to the overall upward trend. The violent crime category, while 17% below the UK average, still accounted for 23.8% of all recorded crimes, indicating that personal safety remains a concern for residents.

Hemel Hempstead's crime rate in May 2023 rose to 9.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 16.7% increase from April's 8.3 per 1,000. This shift translates to roughly 30 crimes reported daily, a figure that underscores the persistent pressure on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 104 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents within a community of nearly 100,000 people. When scaled to the area's population, the 9.6 per 1,000 rate means that for every 1,000 residents, nearly 10 crimes were recorded, a level that is higher than the UK average. This context is critical for residents assessing their personal risk: a 1-in-104 chance of encountering a crime during May suggests that while the area is not exceptionally dangerous, it is experiencing a period of elevated activity compared to the national trend.