Dacorum Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dacorum's overall crime rate in June 2024 stood at 7.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.8% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure reflects a mixed picture of criminal activity, with violence and sexual offences (384 incidents, 32.3% of total crimes) emerging as the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (281 incidents, 23.6%) and criminal damage and arson (100 incidents, 8.4%). The seasonal context of June—as the start of summer with longer days and the onset of tourism in nearby coastal areas—may have influenced patterns, though no direct correlation is evident in the data. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.4 per 1,000, remain 13% below the UK average for this category, a trend consistent with Dacorum's relatively low levels of violent crime compared to major urban centres. However, anti-social behaviour exceeds the UK average by 21%, a discrepancy that may reflect the area's demographic mix of young professionals, students, and families, where social tensions or noise complaints could contribute to higher reports. Property crimes, while lower than violent crimes, still account for 35.5% of all incidents (422 total), with shoplifting and vehicle crime showing contrasting trends: the former declining by 22.8% and the latter falling by 17.2%. These shifts could indicate seasonal adjustments in retail activity or improved security measures. The data also highlights stark regional differences: while public order offences are 51% below the UK average, vehicle crime is 11% above, suggesting that local infrastructure—such as commuter parking or transport hubs—may drive certain types of crime. As the summer progresses, the interplay between increased foot traffic, tourism, and seasonal events may further shape these patterns.

June 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with robbery rates surging by 125% (8 to 18 incidents) and drug-related offences increasing by 54.5% (11 to 17). These rises may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased socialising during summer nights or shifts in illicit market activity. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 22.8% (114 to 88), a decrease consistent with heightened police presence in retail areas or the impact of warmer weather on outdoor theft opportunities. Anti-social behaviour, at 23.6% of total crimes, remained 21% above the UK average, a disparity that could indicate higher concentrations of youth activity or unmet community needs in certain neighbourhoods. Vehicle crime fell by 17.2% (93 to 77), linked to reduced commuter traffic during the early summer months or improved security measures at car parks. These shifts underscore the combination of local conditions and broader national trends.

Dacorum's crime rate in June 2024 remained stable compared to May 2024, with a -0.8% change (7.4 per 1,000). This consistency suggests no significant short-term shifts in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 40 reported crimes each day, a figure that provides context for local residents assessing risk. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 136 residents, a ratio that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1-in-136. When scaled to the area's population of 161,420, this suggests that the majority of residents are unlikely to encounter crime directly. However, the distribution of crime types reveals uneven patterns: while property crimes remain relatively low, anti-social behaviour and violent crimes account for over half of all reported incidents. This balance may reflect the area's mix of urban and rural environments, where densely populated zones could see higher rates of interpersonal conflict and disorder.