Hereford Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford's May 2024 crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents places the built-up area 6% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a consistent trend reflecting the town's lower population density and distinct socio-economic profile. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 39.3% of all incidents (191 cases), a figure 9% above the UK average. This may be partially explained by Hereford's role as a regional hub for healthcare and education, which could contribute to higher foot traffic and associated risks. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, making up 19.3% of incidents (94 cases), a 3% gap above the UK average. The seasonal context of May—characterised by bank holidays and extended evenings—likely amplifies social interactions in public spaces, exacerbating issues like public order offences (up 35.3% month-on-month). Property crimes, however, remain lower than UK averages, with shoplifting (0.7 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) both below their respective national benchmarks. This could be attributed to Hereford's smaller retail footprint and lower commuter traffic compared to larger urban areas. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the 300% surge in theft from the person raises questions about targeted vulnerabilities, though can be established without further analysis.

The most striking month-on-month shift in May 2024 was a 300% increase in theft from the person, rising from one to four incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may signal heightened vulnerability during May's extended evenings and bank holiday-related gatherings. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 80% (from 10 to 2), possibly linked to increased awareness campaigns or seasonal changes in cycling patterns. Public order offences also rose by 35.3%, with 46 incidents reported, a figure 27% above the UK average. This could reflect the impact of longer daylight hours and increased social activity in Hereford's town centre, a known hub for local events. Meanwhile, vehicle crime surged by 44.4%, suggesting a possible link to increased foot traffic or temporary changes in parking practices.

Hereford's crime rate in May 2024 fell by 16.1% from April's 9.4 per 1,000 to 7.9 per 1,000, marking a notable decline. This reduction aligns with a monthly exposure of one crime for every 127 residents, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the built-up area's population of 61,582. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of 16 reported crimes per day, a local metric that highlights the pace at which incidents occur. Vehicle crime remains 57% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect Hereford's lower density of car parks and commercial zones compared to larger urban centres. The drop in burglary and other theft categories—35% and 14% below UK averages respectively—suggests a possible correlation with Hereford's smaller retail footprint and community-oriented policing strategies, though this remains speculative without further data.