Market Harborough Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Market Harborough's overall crime rate in September 2025 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 31.1% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This positions the area as safer than the national picture, a contrast that aligns with its character as a market town with a relatively stable population and lower density of nightlife or retail hubs compared to larger urban centres. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.2% of all reported incidents, though this rate (1.9 per 1,000) was 26% below the UK average for the same category. Criminal damage and arson (14.5% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (13.0%) followed, with the latter’s rate 40% below the UK average. These patterns may reflect the area’s seasonal dynamics, as September brings back-to-school activity and the start of university term, which could influence local interactions and minor disputes. The relatively low rates of shoplifting (5.3% below UK average) and vehicle crime (50% below UK average) suggest that the town’s retail and transportation infrastructure may be less targeted than in more densely populated or tourist-heavy areas. This stability, however, contrasts with the 137.5% increase in criminal damage and arson, a spike that may warrant closer examination in the context of seasonal transitions and local events.

September 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with criminal damage and arson rising by 137.5% compared to August, jumping from 8 to 19 incidents. This increase, though not reflected in the overall crime rate, may signal heightened activity during the transition from summer to autumn, a period often associated with seasonal festivals or local events in market towns. Other theft also surged by 125%, rising from 4 to 9 cases, potentially linked to increased foot traffic during university freshers’ week. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 58.3% (from 12 to 5), a drop that could align with reduced summer parking congestion and fewer holiday-related vehicle movements. The category of violence and sexual offences, while remaining the most common crime type (38.2% share), was 26% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), suggesting that local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may contribute to this gap. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.7 per 1,000, was 40% below the UK average (1.2 per 1,000), further reinforcing the area’s comparatively lower incidence of disorderly conduct. These findings highlight a mixed picture: while certain categories show concerning upward trends, others remain significantly below national benchmarks, indicating a combination of local conditions and broader demographic trends.

Market Harborough’s crime rate in September 2025 was 5.1 per 1,000, a 3.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, places the area firmly in the lower tier of UK crime statistics, with a daily crime count of approximately 4 incidents per day over the 30-day period. When scaled to the local population, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 197 residents over the course of the month—a figure that underscores the area’s relative safety compared to the national average. The population context further highlights the significance of these numbers: with 25,763 residents, the 131 total crimes recorded represent a manageable burden for local services. This stability is particularly evident in categories like vehicle crime and shoplifting, which were 50% and 51% below UK averages, respectively. These figures may resonate with residents, offering reassurance that everyday activities such as commuting or shopping are less likely to be disrupted by crime. However, the 137.5% increase in criminal damage and arson raises questions about whether specific local factors—such as changes in property maintenance practices or seasonal events—could be contributing to this spike. While the overall trend remains positive, the comparison to the previous month and the UK-wide benchmarks illustrate both the strengths and the areas requiring attention in Market Harborough’s crime profile.