Hereford Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford’s built-up area recorded 453 crimes in December 2023, translating to a crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents — 2.8% above the UK average. This rate, while slightly elevated, aligns with the profile of a historic town with a mix of urban and rural characteristics, where seasonal factors like the Christmas shopping peak and extended evening hours may contribute to fluctuations in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 45.3% of all reported incidents — a figure 26% higher than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 18.5% of crimes and occurring at a rate 51% above the national average. These patterns are consistent with the area’s character as a town with a strong retail presence and a significant population of older residents, who may be more vulnerable to targeted crimes. The seasonal context of December — marked by dark evenings, holiday-related social events, and empty homes — likely amplifies tensions and creates environments conducive to anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Hereford is significantly higher than the UK average, suggesting a need for community-focused initiatives to address underlying social factors. While property crimes (including burglary and shoplifting) remained relatively low compared to violent offences, the 18% above UK average for other theft and the 67% above rate for bicycle theft indicate specific vulnerabilities in certain crime categories. These findings, when contextualized against Hereford’s demographic and geographic profile, suggest a combination of localised pressures and broader national trends influencing the area’s crime picture.

December 2023 saw a 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from zero to two incidents — a stark anomaly that may reflect heightened festive shopping activity or targeted opportunism. Public order offences surged by 90%, jumping from 20 to 38, potentially linked to the holiday party season and extended evening hours. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 84.6%, with only two incidents reported compared to 13 in November, likely due to reduced traffic during the Christmas break. Anti-social behaviour remains a pressing issue, occurring at 51% above the UK average, while violence and sexual offences — the most common category — are 26% above the national rate. These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas prone to public disorder and interpersonal conflict.

Hereford’s crime rate in December 2023 remained stable at 7.4 per 1,000 residents, a 1.2% increase from the previous month’s 7.3 per 1,000. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly 15 crimes reported each day, a figure that translates to one crime occurring for every 136 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while not alarmingly high, underscores the persistent presence of crime in a community of this size. When scaled to population, Hereford’s rate aligns with typical urban centres, though specific categories like anti-social behaviour and violence show marked deviations from the UK average. The stability of the overall rate contrasts with the sharp increases in theft from the person and public order offences, highlighting the need to examine these trends in isolation.