Herefordshire Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 6.2 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 22.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This consistent performance below the national benchmark highlights the area's relatively safer environment compared to other parts of the UK. The most prevalent crime categories were violence and sexual offences (39.8% of total incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.9%) and other theft (9.0%). These figures align with the area's character, which appears to be a mix of rural and semi-urban settings where community-focused policing and local initiatives may contribute to lower overall crime levels. Seasonal factors, such as the transition to darker evenings and the timing of Halloween, likely influenced certain crime patterns. The data shows that violence and sexual offences in Herefordshire are 7% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 22% lower, suggesting that local strategies targeting public order and community engagement may be effective. However, the seasonal context of October—marked by shorter days and the approach of winter—may have created conditions that increased the risk of certain crimes, such as shoplifting and public order offences. Overall, the data illustrates a combination of geographic, demographic, and seasonal factors that shape Herefordshire's crime profile, with the area maintaining a strong position relative to national averages despite the minor upward trend in the latest month.

October 2023 saw significant reductions in several crime categories, with vehicle crime falling by 57.1% (from 42 to 18 incidents) and burglary decreasing by 28.4% (from 67 to 48). These declines suggest potential success in targeted interventions or seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during darker evenings. Conversely, increases in robbery (+100.0%), shoplifting (+76.0%), and theft from the person (+75.0%) indicate areas requiring closer attention. The rise in shoplifting, which jumped from 50 to 88 incidents, may be linked to Halloween-related activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.8% of all crimes, a figure 7% below the UK average, illustrating a balanced approach to crime prevention across both property and violent crime categories. For residents, the sharp increase in robbery—a 100% rise from two to four incidents—offers a concrete example of how specific crime types can fluctuate within a short timeframe.

Herefordshire's crime rate in October 2023 rose by 4.0% compared to the previous month, moving from 6.0 to 6.2 per 1,000 residents. This slight upward trend contrasts with the overall year-to-date performance, which remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 38 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local rhythm of activity without direct comparison to national averages. Over the course of October, the monthly exposure metric indicated that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 161 residents, a statistic that provides context for individual risk perception. When considering the population-scaled perspective, Herefordshire's rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents places it in a safer bracket than the UK average, suggesting that the local environment and community initiatives may contribute to sustained lower crime levels despite the monthly increase. These figures, while modest, highlight the importance of consistent monitoring and localized strategies to maintain the current trajectory.