Hemel Hempstead Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour dominated Hemel Hempstead's crime profile in November 2023, accounting for 27.9% of all reported incidents and significantly outpacing the UK average. With a crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents—10.7% above the national average—the built-up area within Dacorum reflects a pattern where property crimes and public order issues often intersect. The seasonal context of November, marked by Bonfire Night and the pre-Christmas shopping rush, likely amplified anti-social behaviour in high-traffic areas. While shoplifting and vehicle crime remained notable, the sharp rise in other theft cases may indicate opportunistic activity tied to increased consumer movement. Conversely, the 19% below UK average for violence and sexual offences suggests that community-focused policing or local initiatives may have mitigated some risks. The area's urban character, with its mix of retail and residential zones, creates conditions where anti-social behaviour—often linked to alcohol consumption and public gatherings—becomes a recurring issue. This dynamic is consistent with similar built-up areas where transient populations and commercial activity contribute to higher rates of disorder. The data also highlights the need for targeted interventions in retail corridors, where shoplifting and theft are concentrated, and in public spaces where anti-social conduct is most prevalent.

November saw a 46.2% increase in other theft, rising from 39 to 57 cases, a shift that may reflect heightened activity around Black Friday shopping. Concurrently, shoplifting dropped by 40.8% (from 147 to 87), possibly due to stricter retail security measures. Vehicle crime rose slightly by 6.4%, suggesting increased exposure during darker evenings. Anti-social behaviour, the most common category, remains 119% above the UK average at 2.3 per 1,000, a figure that likely reflects the area's built-up nature and high population density. Meanwhile, bicycle theft plummeted by 81.8% (from 11 to 2), indicating effective local initiatives or seasonal inactivity. The contrast between rising property crimes and falling violent offences—violence and sexual offences were 19% below the UK average—suggests a combination of community engagement and policing priorities.

Hemel Hempstead's crime rate in November 2023 (8.3 per 1,000 residents) marks a 17.1% decrease from the previous month's 10.1 per 1,000, reflecting a notable downward trend. This reduction aligns with the seasonal shift into winter, where public events like Bonfire Night may have drawn policing focus. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 27 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area's population of nearly 97,200. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 120 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the density of incidents relative to the local population. This rate is higher than the UK average but shows a clear decline from October, suggesting that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may have influenced the drop. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while Hemel Hempstead remains above the national average, the rate of decline indicates a potential shift in local crime dynamics.