Herefordshire Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire’s April 2024 crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents places it 24.7% below the UK average of 7.7, a marked contrast to national trends that underscores the area’s relative safety. This disparity is particularly evident in categories such as violence and sexual offences (2.2 per 1,000, 14% below UK average) and anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000, 18% below UK average), both of which suggest a community profile where social cohesion and policing efforts may be effectively mitigating more severe incidents. The dominance of property-related crimes—comprising 54% of all reported incidents (356 property crimes)—highlights the ongoing challenge of securing homes and businesses, though the area’s low rates of shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000, 40% below UK average) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000, 79% below UK average) align with its rural character, where commercial activity and vehicle density are lower. Seasonal factors in April, including the Easter period and spring weather, may have influenced crime patterns, with increased outdoor activity contributing to a rise in anti-social behaviour. However, the absence of significant spikes in violent crime, despite the presence of a student population or transient visitors, suggests that Herefordshire’s policing strategies and community engagement initiatives are likely playing a role in maintaining this lower-than-average profile. The area’s performance against the UK benchmark, particularly in categories like criminal damage and arson (0.4 per 1,000, 32% below UK average), further reinforces the idea that Herefordshire’s geographic and demographic characteristics—characterised by smaller communities, lower population density, and a focus on rural living—may be contributing to its consistently lower crime rates.

April 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Burglary increased by 45.7%, rising from 35 to 51 incidents, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns such as Easter-related activity or temporary changes in household security practices. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 20.6%, dropping from 34 to 27, a decline consistent with lower outdoor activity during the Easter holiday period. The area’s violent crime rate—2.2 per 1,000, 14% below the UK average—remains a focal point, though the proportion of anti-social behaviour (17.6% of total crimes) suggests community tensions or alcohol-related incidents may be contributing factors. Possession of weapons rose by 45.5%, a 43% increase above the UK average, which may indicate unexplained trends in local law enforcement data or underreporting of incidents. These variations highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas where specific crime types are rising, such as burglary or weapons possession, while celebrating the continued decline in vehicle crime as a positive benchmark.

Herefordshire’s crime rate in April 2024 remained stable compared to March, with a negligible -0.5% decrease from 5.9 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in crime patterns over the past month, though local factors such as seasonal activity may still influence reporting trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 37 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the density of population and community engagement in Herefordshire. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure of one crime per 172 residents underscores the relative safety of the region compared to larger urban areas. This figure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it contextualises the likelihood of encountering crime in everyday life. The area’s low vehicle crime rate—79% below the UK average—may partly explain the reduced sense of vulnerability, especially in rural settings where vehicle theft is less common. These statistics align with Herefordshire’s character as a largely rural district, where community policing and lower population density likely contribute to the sustained stability in crime rates.