Herefordshire Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, Herefordshire recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.3% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This marked improvement reflects a broader trend in the area's crime profile, where violent crimes dominate the landscape but remain significantly lower than national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.8% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.4%) and shoplifting (9.3%). This balance between property and violent crime suggests a unique local dynamic, with violent incidents likely influenced by seasonal factors such as the summer tourist season and associated population movements. The UK comparison highlights Herefordshire's relative safety, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour (31% below the UK average) and shoplifting (30% below). However, the seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—introduces complexities, as increased tourism and empty homes during this period may paradoxically raise burglary risks despite the overall decline in property crime rates. The data also indicates that Herefordshire's crime picture is shaped by its character as a largely rural district with significant tourism infrastructure, where local policing strategies and community engagement likely contribute to maintaining lower crime rates compared to more densely populated urban areas.

August 2024 saw a 166.7% increase in robberies, rising from 3 to 8 incidents, a stark shift that may reflect heightened activity during the summer tourism season. Theft from the person also rose by 75%, climbing from 4 to 7, suggesting increased vulnerability in public spaces. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 23.3% (30 to 23), potentially linked to reduced car usage during August holidays. Violent crimes, though still the most common category (38.8% of total), remained 18% below the UK average at 2.2 per 1,000. This contrast with property crime rates, which saw shoplifting at 0.5 per 1,000 (30% below UK levels), indicates a complex balance between local safety measures and seasonal pressures. Residents may find the 8.7% month-on-month increase in overall crime rates a useful benchmark for understanding local trends.

Herefordshire's crime rate in August 2024 rose by 8.7% compared to July 2024, moving from 5.3 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, contrasts with broader trends in the UK where property crimes typically spike during summer months due to increased tourism. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 36 incidents per day in August, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 173 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which often sees 1-in-100 residents affected annually. The population context reveals that Herefordshire's 191,047 residents experienced a relatively low overall crime burden compared to larger urban areas, though the rise in violent crimes may reflect seasonal patterns linked to the area's summer tourism infrastructure. The interplay between tourism and local crime dynamics remains a key factor in shaping this month's statistics.