Herefordshire Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire’s crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents in April 2023 places it 20% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects broader regional patterns in rural and semi-rural areas. This rate, which is the lowest recorded for the area in recent months, highlights a consistent trend of lower-than-national-average crime levels in Herefordshire. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.5% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.5%) and public order offences (8.9%). These figures align with the seasonal context of April, a time of increased outdoor activity and community events such as Easter celebrations, which may contribute to higher levels of public interaction and, consequently, anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences, while slightly below the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000), remain a significant concern in Herefordshire, particularly in areas with higher population density or frequent public gatherings. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime and theft from the person—both 100% below the UK average—suggest a combination of geographic factors, such as lower tourist footfall and fewer high-traffic retail zones, which may reduce opportunities for such crimes. This overall profile indicates a community with lower exposure to violent crime but with persistent challenges in managing anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which may require targeted local interventions.

April 2023 saw notable shifts in Herefordshire’s crime profile, with burglary increasing by 63% compared to March, rising from 46 to 75 incidents. This sharp rise may reflect seasonal patterns, such as increased property-related activity during Easter holidays or heightened opportunities in rural areas where homes may be unoccupied. Conversely, robbery fell by 42.9% (from 7 to 4 incidents), and shoplifting declined by 29.5% (from 88 to 62), linked to heightened police presence or community awareness during the Easter period. The increase in bicycle theft (+50%) and possession of weapons (+22.2%) highlights emerging concerns, with the former tied to increased cycling during spring and the latter suggesting potential issues related to unregistered firearms or knives in the area. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained significantly below the UK average (24% below), and drug-related offences fell by 41.9% (from 31 to 18), indicating possible successes in local enforcement or community-based prevention efforts. These fluctuations underscore the importance of monitoring seasonal trends and adapting policing strategies to address specific vulnerabilities, such as targeting burglary hotspots or addressing the root causes of increased weapon possession.

Herefordshire’s crime rate in April 2023 (6.0 per 1,000) represents a 2.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000, reflecting a continued decline in overall crime levels. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 38 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in addressing persistent crime types such as violence and anti-social behaviour. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 167 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average and consistent with Herefordshire’s rural and semi-rural character, where population density is lower and community policing may be more effective. This rate is also lower than the UK average for several categories, including vehicle crime (78% below) and theft from the person (100% below), which may be attributed to the area’s limited tourism infrastructure and fewer high-traffic commercial zones. However, the increase in burglary and possession of weapons suggests that certain localised factors, such as seasonal property-related activity or gaps in weapon control measures, require further attention. These comparative figures provide a nuanced perspective on Herefordshire’s crime profile, illustrating both strengths in maintaining low overall crime levels and areas where targeted interventions may be needed.