Hereford Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford's crime rate in March 2024 stood at 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 13% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This disparity reflects a combination of local factors and national trends, with violence and sexual offences dominating the crime profile at 39.9% of all reported incidents. The area's crime mix diverges from the UK average, particularly in categories such as anti-social behaviour (38% above UK average) and criminal damage (38% above). These patterns may be influenced by Hereford's character as a historic market town with a mix of urban and rural elements, where public spaces and commercial areas could contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, as the transition to spring and lengthening evenings may correlate with increased incidents of violence and property crime. However, the area's vehicle crime rate was 57% below the UK average, a contrast that could be attributed to local infrastructure or policing strategies. The data suggests that while Hereford faces challenges in certain crime categories, its overall profile contains elements that differ significantly from national trends, warranting a nuanced understanding of local dynamics.

March 2024 saw significant increases in bicycle theft (+250%) and robbery (+100%), with theft from the person also doubling. These spikes may be linked to seasonal factors such as the transition to spring, which typically sees more outdoor activity and longer evenings. Conversely, burglary and drugs-related crimes both declined, with burglary dropping 38.5% and drugs-related offences falling 30.4%. This contrast highlights a shifting crime mix, with property crimes now accounting for 29.2% of total incidents compared to 40.1% in the previous month. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, 31% above the UK average, while vehicle crime was 57% below the national figure. For residents, the 57% reduction in vehicle crime compared to the UK average suggests local measures such as improved parking security or community engagement may be contributing to this trend.

Hereford's crime rate in March 2024 rose 9.8% from the previous month's 7.9 per 1,000 to 8.7 per 1,000, marking a continued upward trend. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 17 crimes reported each day, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a built-up area within Herefordshire. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 115 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the population of 61,582. This monthly exposure rate is higher than the UK average when considering the overall crime rate. For instance, vehicle crime in Hereford was 57% below the UK average, a contrast that may reflect local factors such as parking infrastructure or community policing efforts. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the area is not exceptionally high in absolute terms, the rate of increase compared to the previous month suggests a need for targeted interventions in specific crime categories.