Hemel Hempstead Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hemel Hempstead's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 10.1 per 1,000 residents, significantly higher than the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This 26.2% disparity underscores the area's distinct crime profile, shaped by its status as a built-up area within Dacorum. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 30.1% of all incidents (294 cases), followed by violence and sexual offences (21.4%) and shoplifting (15.1%). These figures align with patterns typical of urban centres, where high foot traffic and commercial activity contribute to both property and public order crimes. Seasonal factors may have played a role, as October's darker evenings and Halloween could have influenced anti-social behaviour and theft rates. Shoplifting in Hemel Hempstead was 159% above the UK average, a figure consistent with the presence of retail hubs in the area. The persistent gap between Hemel Hempstead and the UK average for anti-social behaviour (134% above) suggests that localised issues, such as overcrowded public spaces or limited policing resources during peak hours, may contribute to this trend. While the overall crime rate is elevated, the mix of violent and property crimes remains balanced, with property crimes slightly outnumbering violent crimes. This balance could reflect the area's mixed land use, combining residential zones with commercial centres that attract both residents and visitors.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in October 2023 was a 150% increase in theft from the person, rising from 4 to 10 incidents. This jump, though numerically small, signals a significant shift in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to Halloween or increased foot traffic in retail areas. Concurrently, drug-related crimes surged by 116.7%, with reports rising from 12 to 26. This increase may reflect seasonal factors or heightened police visibility in certain areas. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 5.8%, from 312 to 294, a modest but notable decline that could be attributed to the clocks going back and earlier evening darkness deterring outdoor activity. The area's anti-social behaviour rate remains 134% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent local challenge. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 27.7%, from 65 to 47, due to reduced commuter traffic or improved security measures in parking areas.

Hemel Hempstead's crime rate in October 2023 rose to 10.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 2.8% increase from September's 9.8 per 1,000. This places the area 26.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a persistent gap that reflects local patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 32 crimes per day, translating to one reported crime for every 99 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is a stark reminder of the frequency of incidents in a built-up area with a population of nearly 100,000. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is elevated, it remains concentrated in specific categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which are higher than national averages. This suggests that targeted interventions in high-incident areas may be more effective than broad-spectrum measures.