Herefordshire Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire’s crime profile in May 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violent offences dominating the landscape. Of the 1,190 total crimes recorded, 489 (41.1%) were violence and sexual offences, significantly below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000 (2.6 per 1,000 in Herefordshire). This suggests a lower prevalence of severe interpersonal crime compared to the national picture, potentially reflecting community cohesion or effective local policing strategies. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 16.0% of crimes, also well below the UK average. The relatively low rates of property crimes—such as vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 56% below UK average) and burglary (0.3 per 1,000, 3% below UK average)—indicate a safer environment for residents in terms of theft and property damage. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as May’s longer evenings and bank holidays may have spurred increased socialising in public spaces, aligning with the prominence of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the absence of significant spikes in property-related crimes could point to effective community engagement or a lower density of high-risk areas such as retail hubs or nightlife zones. This mix of crime types illustrates a region where interpersonal conflicts and disorder dominate, but where property crime remains relatively contained, due to the area’s rural-urban mix and proactive local initiatives.

May 2023 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with theft from the person increasing by 66.7% (3 → 5), marking a significant rise in personal theft incidents. This surge, though still low (0.0 per 1,000), could signal heightened awareness or reporting among residents during the month’s extended evenings. Conversely, robbery fell by 50.0% (4 → 2), a drop that may reflect the success of targeted policing efforts or the seasonal decline in high-risk activity. The UK comparison data also highlights stark contrasts: vehicle crime in Herefordshire was 56% below the national average (0.2 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a figure that may be attributed to the area’s lower population density and fewer commercial parking zones. Meanwhile, bicycle theft rose by 33.3% (9 → 12), a 25% increase above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), suggesting potential vulnerabilities in local cycling infrastructure or security measures. These fluctuations underscore the combination of seasonal activity and local crime dynamics, with anti-social behaviour remaining a persistent concern (1.0 per 1,000, 25% below UK average). Residents might find the 38 daily crimes reported in May (1,190 total over 31 days) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk, particularly in relation to violent incidents which accounted for nearly 40% of all recorded crimes.

Herefordshire’s crime rate in May 2023 rose slightly from 6.0 per 1,000 in April to 6.2 per 1,000, a 3.8% increase. This modest uptick, however, remains well below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, with the area still 22.5% safer than the national average. On a daily basis, 38 crimes were reported in May, translating to roughly one crime for every 161 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure, while low, reflects the area’s relatively stable crime environment. When compared to the UK context, Herefordshire’s lower population density and likely rural-urban balance contribute to its distinct crime profile. For instance, the 0.2 per 1,000 rate for vehicle crime—56% below the UK average—suggests fewer opportunities for such crimes in Herefordshire, potentially due to fewer commercial vehicles or parking areas. Similarly, the 0.1 per 1,000 rate for bicycle theft, 25% above the UK average, may indicate a growing cycling culture or gaps in local theft prevention measures. These figures, when viewed through the lens of Herefordshire’s unique geography and community structures, illustrate how local characteristics can shape crime patterns even as national trends remain broadly applicable.