Hemel Hempstead Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Hemel Hempstead’s crime rate in February 2025 stood at 8.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 20.9% above the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure, while higher than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal trends. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (252 incidents, 32.2% of total), anti-social behaviour (145 incidents, 18.5%), and shoplifting (104 incidents, 13.3%). These patterns align with the area’s built-up character, where retail hubs and residential density may contribute to shoplifting and anti-social conduct. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.6 per 1,000, exceeded the UK average by 11%, a disparity that may be influenced by local demographics or policing strategies. Meanwhile, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour were both significantly above UK rates, with shoplifting at 77% above the national average. The winter season, with its lower outdoor activity and pre-spring lull, likely contributed to the overall crime rate’s position relative to the UK average, though the area’s built-up nature means crime remains concentrated in specific zones. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas while acknowledging the broader seasonal context shaping crime patterns.

February 2025 marked significant decreases in burglary (down 37.7%) and vehicle crime (down 34.0%), the latter falling below the UK average for the first time this year. These declines may partly reflect reduced outdoor activity during colder weather and fewer opportunities for vehicle-related offences. Conversely, 'other crime' surged by 118.2%, with incidents rising from 11 to 24, a category that includes non-specific or unclassified offences. Robbery also increased by 71.4%, from seven to 12, a spike that warrants attention given the category’s 25% above UK average. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime, at 145 incidents, 55% above the UK average, highlighting persistent challenges in managing public conduct. The contrast between falling property crimes and rising violent and non-specific offences underscores shifting dynamics in the area’s crime profile.

February 2025 saw a 9.7% decrease in Hemel Hempstead’s crime rate compared to January, falling from 8.9 to 8.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and foot traffic in public spaces tend to slow. Locally, 28 crimes were reported daily on average, a figure that, while consistent with the area’s built-up character, reflects a lower intensity than larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 124 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 97,198. This rate is lower than the UK average when considering daily fluctuations, though the area’s overall rate remains above the national benchmark. The shift in crime types—particularly the drop in vehicle crime and burglary—suggests potential seasonal factors, such as reduced car usage or fewer night-time activities, contributing to this downward trend.