Hemel Hempstead Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hemel Hempstead's January 2024 crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents places it 13.5% above the UK average of 7.4. This built-up area within Dacorum shows a distinct pattern in its crime profile, with anti-social behaviour emerging as a striking outlier. At 2.2 per 1,000, anti-social behaviour incidents accounted for 25.7% of all reported crimes—a rate 122% higher than the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000. This figure may partly reflect the town's dense retail and residential mix, where community tensions or overcrowding in high-traffic areas could contribute to such incidents. Violence and sexual offences, at 218 cases (26.8% of total), remained the most common category.2 per 1,000 was 15% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Seasonal context suggests January's post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours may have influenced crime patterns, with reduced retail footfall likely tempering shoplifting rates compared to festive months. However, the persistent high rate of anti-social behaviour highlights a local challenge that may require targeted community engagement strategies. Property crimes, including shoplifting and vehicle crime, accounted for 38.9% of all incidents, suggesting ongoing vulnerabilities in commercial zones and parking areas. The overall rate, while above the UK average, remains relatively stable compared to previous months, indicating no dramatic spikes or declines in the broader crime profile.

January 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with bicycle theft increasing by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents) and robbery rising by 55.6% (from 9 to 14). These increases, though small in absolute terms, may reflect emerging trends such as increased cycling during colder months or heightened vulnerability in certain areas. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 24.1% (from 112 to 85), possibly linked to reduced retail activity post-Christmas and shorter daylight hours limiting opportunities for theft. Theft from the person also decreased by 20% (from 10 to 8), a shift consistent with January's typically lower foot traffic in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, already a significant concern at 2.2 per 1,000, remained 122% above the UK average, underscoring a localised issue that may require further analysis of community dynamics. The drugs category saw a 33.3% increase (from 15 to 20), a rise that could be connected to seasonal changes in illicit activity patterns. These shifts highlight the importance of monitoring specific crime types for targeted interventions, particularly where rates deviate sharply from national benchmarks.

Hemel Hempstead's January 2024 crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents was a 1.9% decrease from December's 8.5 per 1,000, indicating a stable trend over the past month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 26 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety in relation to daily life. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 119 residents, a monthly exposure rate that situates the area within a broader demographic framework. While this rate is slightly higher than the UK average, the comparison to national statistics reveals distinct local challenges, particularly in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that Hemel Hempstead's crime profile is shaped by its role as a commuter hub and retail centre, factors that may influence both the frequency and nature of reported incidents. The stability in the overall rate, coupled with specific fluctuations in categories like robbery and anti-social behaviour, suggests that local conditions and policing efforts are maintaining a balance, though targeted interventions may still be necessary in areas where rates deviate significantly from the UK average.