Hereford Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Hereford’s crime rate in August 2025 reached 8.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 6.2% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, while modestly higher than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.8% of all reported incidents, a share significantly higher than the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. This concentration of violent crime may be linked to Hereford’s status as a built-up area with a mix of urban and semi-rural characteristics, where public spaces such as town centres and parks see increased activity during peak holiday months. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 17.7% of all incidents, with a rate of 1.5 per 1,000—3% above the UK average. This suggests ongoing challenges in managing community disturbances, potentially exacerbated by the influx of tourists and seasonal visitors in August. The most striking outlier, however, was shoplifting, which occurred at a rate of 1.1 per 1,000—75% higher than the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This surge may be partly explained by the area’s retail presence and the increased foot traffic associated with August as a peak holiday month. The seasonal context also appears to influence property crimes, with criminal damage and arson at 0.7 per 1,000—19% above the UK average. This could be consistent with the emptying of homes during the summer, a pattern that often heightens burglary risks in areas with a significant number of second homes.

August 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime rising by 50% compared to July, driven by a jump from 4 to 6 incidents. This increase, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain heightened concerns among local residents about parking and vehicle security. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50%, with incidents dropping from 2 to 1, a decline likely linked to reduced foot traffic during the quieter parts of the month. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast to the UK average, with shoplifting incidents in Hereford at 1.1 per 1,000—75% higher than the national rate of 0.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy, combined with the 18% above UK average for violence and sexual offences, underscores a unique challenge for local authorities. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting—particularly in retail areas—may be a more immediate concern than the broader national trends.

Hereford’s crime rate in August 2025 stood at 8.6 per 1,000 residents, a 4.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.0 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, suggests a stabilisation in local crime trends following a peak in July. Over the course of August, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 116 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for Hereford’s population of 61,582. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 17 crimes reported, a rate that aligns with the built-up nature of Hereford’s urban core. Comparing this to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, Hereford remains slightly above the national benchmark, though the gap has narrowed since earlier in the year. The shift in crime mix—violent crimes now accounting for nearly 40% of all reported incidents—highlights a growing emphasis on public safety concerns over property-related offences, a trend consistent with seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic in August.