Hersham Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2024, Hersham recorded 79 crimes across a population of 14,003, equating to a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents—33.3% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure, while modest in absolute terms, translates to one crime for every 177 residents over the course of the month, a monthly exposure rate that aligns with Hersham's generally low crime profile. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences (31 incidents, 39.2% of total crimes), followed by criminal damage and arson (18, 22.8%) and public order offences (7, 8.9%). This mix reflects the dual pressures of peak summer activity and the challenges of managing public spaces during festivals and events. The area's safety is underscored by its performance relative to the UK: violent crime is 23% below the national average, anti-social behaviour is 72% below, and burglary is 68% below. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now 106% above the UK average—suggests a need for targeted interventions. July's seasonal context, with schools out and tourism at its peak, likely amplifies both opportunities for crime and the visibility of incidents in public spaces. This dynamic may partly explain the increase in public order offences, which were 22% below the UK average despite the summer rush, indicating effective local policing or community engagement. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly, with property crimes (32) now slightly outnumbering violent crimes (31), a reversal from earlier months that may reflect changing patterns in outdoor activity and community interactions.

July saw a 260% surge in criminal damage and arson, jumping from 5 to 18 incidents—a stark outlier compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This category's 106% above the national average suggests a specific local pressure point, possibly linked to summer festivals or outdoor events. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime both dropped by 50% and 66.7% respectively, likely reflecting the impact of school holidays reducing opportunities for property crime. The increase in bicycle theft and robbery—each doubling from zero to one incident—may indicate seasonal patterns tied to summer tourism or increased outdoor activity. Violence and sexual offences (39.2% of total crimes) remained the most common category, though they were 23% below the UK average, a contrast that may reflect Hersham's suburban character compared to more densely populated areas.

Hersham's crime rate in July 2024 rose 12.8% from 5.0 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents compared to June, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, while modest, translates to 3 crimes reported daily on average—a figure that may help residents contextualise local safety. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 177 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Hersham well below the UK average in most categories. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Hersham's crime profile is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crimes 23% below the UK benchmark and anti-social behaviour 72% below. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now 106% above the UK average—highlights a localised anomaly that deserves closer attention. This contrast between overall safety and specific category outliers underscores the need for targeted policing strategies in Hersham.