Hereford Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford's crime rate in January 2024 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 8.1% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure, while modest in absolute terms, underscores a shift in the area's crime profile, with violence and sexual offences dominating the landscape. These crimes accounted for 41.1% of all reported incidents, significantly exceeding the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The prominence of violence in Hereford may be linked to the area's status as a small built-up town within Herefordshire, where community interactions and local tensions could contribute to such patterns. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 18.9% of incidents, and was 52% above the UK average. This aligns with seasonal factors, as January's shorter days and post-holiday period may reduce opportunities for outdoor crime but increase tensions in enclosed spaces. Criminal damage and arson, at 11.0% of all crimes, also showed a marked increase, reflecting cold-weather-related activities or unseasonal disruptions. Shoplifting remained below the UK average, suggesting that Hereford's retail environment—due to its smaller scale or targeted security measures—may be less susceptible to such offences. The overall crime picture in Hereford thus reflects a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the built environment, with certain categories showing resilience while others spiked unexpectedly.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 250% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, is striking given the typically low levels of vehicle-related offences in Hereford. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson surged by 145.5%, reflecting a 22-to-54 increase. This could indicate seasonal factors, such as increased vandalism during colder months or post-holiday disruptions. Burglary also rose by 77.8%, with incidents jumping from 9 to 16. In contrast, several categories showed notable declines: robbery fell by 66.7% (3 to 1), and public order offences dropped by 31.6% (38 to 26). These decreases may align with January's shorter days and reduced retail activity, which could deter certain types of crime. Shoplifting in Hereford was 12% below the UK average, with 0.5 per 1,000 residents compared to the national 0.6 per 1,000. This suggests localised strategies or environmental factors—such as retail security measures—may be effective in curbing this specific offence.

Hereford's crime rate in January 2024 rose to 8.0 per 1,000 residents, marking an 8.3% increase from the previous month's 7.4 per 1,000. This upward trend contrasts with the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, placing Hereford 8.1% above the national benchmark. On a daily basis, 16 crimes were reported each day in January—a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by the area's population of 61,582. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, a metric that highlights the frequency of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. This rate is higher than the UK average when considering the proportion of violent crimes, which are 27% above the national figure. However, the daily crime count does not account for variations in population density or local factors that might influence reporting patterns. The increase in violent crimes, combined with a sharp rise in vehicle crime, suggests a shift in criminal activity that may reflect seasonal or localised trends.