Hereford Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents in October 2024, placing it 6.2% below the UK average of 8.1. This relatively low rate aligns with Hereford's historical profile as a smaller urban centre with a mix of historic and modern infrastructure. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (39.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.2%) and shoplifting (10.7%). These figures may reflect the area's characteristics, with the town centre's retail and leisure activities contributing to both shoplifting and public order incidents. October's seasonal context—shorter days, Halloween, and the clocks going back—likely amplified some trends, though the overall rate remained stable compared to other months. Violence and sexual offences in Hereford exceeded the UK average by 12%, suggesting that the area's social dynamics or local demographics may differ from the national picture. This could be linked to factors such as the presence of educational institutions or transient populations, though no specific data on population composition is available. The lower rates of burglary (70% below UK average) and vehicle crime (79% below) may indicate effective community policing or the presence of secure housing stock, though further analysis would be required to confirm these hypotheses.

October 2024 saw sharp increases in two categories: 'Other crime' surged by 216.7% (from 6 to 19 cases), and 'Possession of weapons' rose by 133.3% (from 3 to 7 cases). These jumps, though not explicitly tied to external factors, may partly explain the overall violent crime rate being 12% above the UK average. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 75%, from 4 to 1 case, potentially reflecting heightened awareness around Halloween or improved security measures. The breakdown also reveals stark contrasts: while violence and sexual offences dominate (39.7% of all crimes), burglary and vehicle crime remained well below the UK average, with burglary at 70% lower than the national rate. Residents should be particularly alert to the surge in 'Other crime,' a category that may encompass unclassified incidents or emerging patterns not yet fully understood by local authorities.

Hereford's overall crime rate in October 2024 stood at 7.6 per 1,000 residents, a 2.8% decrease from the previous month's 7.8 per 1,000. This slight decline contrasts with broader seasonal trends, as October typically sees an uptick in crime due to darker evenings and Halloween activities. However, the local reduction suggests potential effectiveness in recent policing strategies or community initiatives. On a daily basis, Hereford recorded an average of 15 crimes per day in October, a figure that, while modest, underscores the need for vigilance in public spaces. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 131 residents, a monthly exposure rate that aligns with the area's generally lower crime profile compared to the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it does not account for variations in individual circumstances or local hotspots.