Local Area Crime Statistics

Herefordshire Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in Herefordshire

Herefordshire's crime rate is 62.2 per 1,000, significantly safer than the UK average. Stay informed on crime statistics in Herefordshire.

Overall Crime Rate

62.2
per 1,000 people
33% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

19.0
per 1,000 people
43% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 191,047 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Herefordshire

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Herefordshire
Overall Crime Rate62.2 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate19 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score85 out of 100
Population191,047
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Herefordshire
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,69624.640%
Anti-social behaviour1,98110.417%
Criminal damage and arson1,0035.28%
Shoplifting9364.98%
Public order8134.37%
Other theft7513.96%
Burglary4632.44%
Drugs3321.73%
Other crime3041.63%
Vehicle crime2911.52%
Possession of weapons1320.71%
Bicycle theft900.51%
Robbery540.30%
Theft from the person390.20%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Herefordshire

Herefordshire, with a population of 191,047, demonstrates a crime rate of 62.2 per 1,000 people per year, placing it notably below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score of 85 out of 100 also surpasses the national average of 78, indicating a generally secure environment for residents. This positive assessment is further supported by a stable crime trend, showing a slight decrease of 4.5% year-over-year. These figures provide a reassuring context for understanding crime patterns and safety within Herefordshire.

About Herefordshire and its Crime Profile

Herefordshire is predominantly a rural county, characterised by its agricultural landscape, market towns, and a sparse population distribution. This rurality often contributes to lower overall crime rates compared to more densely populated urban centres. Key activities in the area revolve around farming, local tourism, and independent businesses, rather than large industrial or commercial hubs. The population is relatively stable, with fewer transient populations that might be associated with higher crime rates in other regions. Economic factors in a rural setting can also differ, with community cohesion and lower urban pressures potentially influencing the crime statistics and contributing to the area's higher safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,696 incidents (24.6 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,981 incidents (10.4 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,003 incidents (5.2 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
936 incidents (4.9 per 1,000)
Public order
813 incidents (4.3 per 1,000)
Other theft
751 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Burglary
463 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Drugs
332 incidents (1.7 per 1,000)
Other crime
304 incidents (1.6 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
291 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
132 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
90 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
54 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
39 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

7.5% change(over 12 months)
Herefordshire
UK Average

Compare Herefordshire with similar populations

Herefordshire has a 33.4% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Herefordshire

An analysis of crime types in Herefordshire reveals that violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 4,696 crimes or 39.5% of the total, at a rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most prevalent, with 1,981 incidents (16.7% of total, 10.4 per 1,000), while criminal damage and arson rank third with 1,003 crimes (8.4% of total, 5.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, understanding property-related crime is also crucial. This category, encompassing burglary, other theft, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, and robbery, stands at 19.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000, suggesting that while property crime exists, it is less pervasive here than in many other parts of the country.

Crime Trends in Herefordshire

Herefordshire has experienced a stable crime trend, with a 4.5% decrease in total crimes year-over-year. Examining the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations. For instance, the crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a dip in December 2024 to 4.6 and February 2025 to 4.3, suggesting periods of lower criminal activity. Conversely, July 2025 recorded the highest rate at 6.3 per 1,000. Despite these monthly variations, the overall trend indicates a slight but positive trajectory towards reduced crime. For residents, this stable trend suggests that the overall safety of the area is being maintained, with no significant upward shift in criminal activity.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Comparing Herefordshire with its neighbouring areas provides valuable regional context. With an overall crime rate of 62.2 per 1,000 and a safety score of 85/100, Herefordshire is generally safer than many of its counterparts. For example, Worcester and Gloucester, typically more urbanised areas, often exhibit higher crime rates. Malvern Hills and Forest of Dean, which share some rural characteristics, might present similar safety profiles, though specific figures would vary. Monmouthshire, a bordering Welsh county, and Tewkesbury also offer relevant comparisons in terms of local crime dynamics. This broader regional perspective helps residents and potential newcomers understand Herefordshire's relative position within the local landscape, highlighting its comparative safety.

Enhancing Your Security in Herefordshire

Understanding Herefordshire's property crime rate of 19.0 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average, can help residents consider their home security. While traditional CCTV systems merely record incidents after they occur, offering footage of a burglary rather than preventing it, proactive measures are far more effective. Modern AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it happens. These systems detect threats at the property boundary, utilising multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously. By learning routines and verifying vehicles, they can distinguish between genuine threats and everyday occurrences, destroying the element of surprise for potential intruders. The right security system makes that crucial 60-second decision for a burglar easy – they move on to an easier target, rather than providing you with footage of a theft.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Herefordshire

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.ukRecorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National StatisticsDemographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home OfficeNational offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI RequestsSupplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.