Dacorum Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dacorum's crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents in July 2024 places the area 8.3% below the UK average of 8.4, a position that reflects both effective policing and local characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.5% of all crimes, the highest share, likely influenced by the summer season when outdoor events and festivals increase social interaction. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category (24.6% of total crimes), remains 31% above the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in public spaces. The area's lower-than-average rates for violent crimes—violence and sexual offences are 16% below the UK benchmark—may be linked to community policing efforts or the presence of family-oriented demographics. Seasonal factors in July, including school holidays and peak tourism, likely contribute to fluctuations, with vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour seeing spikes. However, the drop in robbery incidents (33.3% month-on-month) hints at possible deterrents, such as increased surveillance during summer. Dacorum's mixed urban-rural profile, with commuter corridors and recreational areas, creates a unique crime profile where property crimes and public order issues dominate, while violent crimes remain relatively contained.

July saw a 40.3% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 77 to 108 incidents—a sharp jump that may partly explain the overall 4.3% monthly rate rise. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, remained 31% above the UK average at 1.9 per 1,000, a figure that could reflect local social dynamics during peak summer activity. Conversely, robbery incidents fell 33.3% (18 to 12), linked to reduced foot traffic during school holidays. The 47.1% rise in drugs-related crimes (17 to 25) stands out as a significant shift. Residents may find the daily crime count of 40 incidents useful for assessing local risks, particularly in areas with high vehicle density or event-driven activity.

Dacorum's crime rate in July 2024 rose 4.3% from 7.4 to 7.7 per 1,000 residents compared to June, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area's overall position 8.3% below the UK average. Daily crime figures reveal 40 incidents reported per day on average, a figure that may help residents contextualise local risks. Over the course of July, one crime occurred for roughly every 130 residents, a monthly exposure rate that aligns with the area's mixed urban-rural character. With a population of 161,420, Dacorum's crime profile remains distinct from densely populated UK cities, where higher daily crime rates are common. The localised nature of incidents—such as vehicle crime concentrated in commuter zones—suggests that spatial factors, rather than population density alone, shape crime patterns here.