Harborough Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 104,713, Harborough recorded 359 crimes in February 2024, translating to a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 52.1% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates nationally. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 39.3% of all reported incidents—44% below the UK average. This was followed by criminal damage and arson (9.8%) and burglary (8.9%). The seasonal context of February, a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may partly explain the subdued crime profile. Harborough’s data suggests a community where violent crime dominates the profile, likely influenced by local social dynamics and the absence of major tourist or retail hubs that typically drive property-related offences. The relatively low burglary rate compared to the UK average could reflect secure housing stock or effective local policing strategies. However, the persistence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, though still below national levels, indicates ongoing challenges in maintaining community cohesion. The overall picture aligns with a largely rural or suburban area where crime is concentrated in specific pockets rather than widespread across the district.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to January. Anti-social behaviour increased by 44.4%, rising from 18 to 26 incidents, potentially linked to seasonal factors or unresolved community tensions. Shoplifting also rose by 19.2%, suggesting targeted retail areas may have experienced heightened activity despite the winter lull. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 44.2%, with reported incidents falling from 43 to 24—due to reduced outdoor activity or improved vehicle security measures. The violent crime category, while remaining the largest single type (39.3% of total), was 44% below the UK average, a stark contrast to national trends. This divergence may reflect Harborough’s demographic profile, with fewer high-density urban areas that typically correlate with higher rates of violent crime. The sharp decline in bicycle theft (50%) could indicate effective local initiatives or a seasonal reduction in cycling activity during colder months. For residents, the daily average of 12 crimes per day provides a tangible measure of local risk, though this remains significantly lower than the UK average of 21 crimes per day. The data underscores that while Harborough’s crime rate is exceptionally low, targeted efforts to address anti-social behaviour and shoplifting may yield further improvements.

Harborough’s crime rate in February 2024 (3.4 per 1,000) represented an 8.8% decrease from January’s 3.8 per 1,000, indicating a slight but measurable downward trend. This decline, though modest, contrasts with the UK-wide average of 7.1 per 1,000, highlighting Harborough’s continued position as a significantly safer area. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 12 crimes per day in February, a figure that, while concrete, remains 52.1% below the national average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 292 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low, particularly when compared to the UK’s average of 1 in 141 residents. This stark disparity underscores Harborough’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics, likely shaped by its rural or semi-rural nature and limited urban density. When scaled to population size, the 359 total crimes equate to just 0.34% of Harborough’s population being directly affected, a figure that is 68% lower than the UK average. This suggests that Harborough’s residents face a markedly lower risk of experiencing crime than those in more densely populated areas, though the persistence of anti-social behaviour and violence indicates that targeted interventions could further enhance local safety.