Herefordshire Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 marked a combination of seasonal factors and local crime patterns in Herefordshire, a largely rural district with a lower-than-average crime rate. The overall crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents placed the area 30.7% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect the district's demographic profile and geographic characteristics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.4% of all reported incidents, though this category remains 15% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 14.7% of incidents, while other theft and shoplifting each contributed 7.4%. These figures align with patterns observed in rural areas, where property crimes often outnumber violent offences. The seasonal context of November—marked by shorter evenings, Bonfire Night celebrations, and the Black Friday shopping period—likely influenced crime dynamics. Darker evenings may have increased the risk of violent incidents, while the influx of shoppers could have created opportunities for theft. However, the overall low crime rate suggests that local factors, such as strong community policing or lower population density, may contribute to the area's relative safety. The contrast between Herefordshire's crime profile and the UK average highlights the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to local conditions, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

November 2023 saw a 50% increase in vehicle crime, with incidents rising from 18 to 27. This surge may be linked to increased traffic during the Black Friday shopping period or shifts in parking behaviour. Robbery rates also climbed by 25%, though the absolute number remains low at five incidents. Drug-related crimes rose by 11.5%, a trend that contrasts with the UK average, where drug offences remain stable. In contrast, public order offences fell sharply by 32.5%, possibly due to focused policing around Bonfire Night events. Other theft decreased by 30.8%, suggesting a temporary reduction in opportunistic crimes. The area's violent crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents is 15% below the UK average, a consistent pattern that may reflect Herefordshire's rural character and lower population density. Residents should be particularly vigilant regarding vehicle crime, which now accounts for 2.7% of all reported incidents.

Herefordshire's crime rate in November 2023 fell by 15.8% compared to the previous month, dropping from 6.2 to 5.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of November, when shorter evenings and post-Black Friday shopping activity may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 33 crimes reported each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 191 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively low overall crime rate compared to the UK average. This monthly exposure figure, while illustrative of the scale of incidents, does not account for variations in population density or localised hotspots. The decrease in public order offences, which fell by 32.5%, may reflect the impact of targeted policing efforts around Bonfire Night. The rate of vehicle crime, however, rose sharply by 50%, a trend that could be linked to increased traffic during the festive shopping period or changes in parking patterns.