Herefordshire Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 saw Herefordshire's crime rate reach 5.0 per 1,000 residents — 29.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This marked a notable deviation from seasonal expectations, as winter months typically see reduced outdoor activity and lower crime rates. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all reported incidents (392 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (154 cases) and criminal damage and arson (81 cases). Despite the overall decline, the sharp rise in robbery cases — jumping from 2 to 6 incidents — contrasts with the general trend of reduced crime during colder months. This anomaly may be influenced by factors such as increased indoor gatherings or targeted opportunistic crimes in specific areas. Violence and sexual offences in Herefordshire remained 16% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour was 24% below, suggesting effective local policing strategies or community initiatives. However, the persistent gap in vehicle crime — 77% below the UK average (23 vs 0.4 per 1,000) — highlights Herefordshire's unique profile as a low-density area with fewer opportunities for vehicle-related offences. The seasonal context of February, a pre-spring lull, usually correlates with lower crime rates, yet the robbery spike indicates potential shifts in criminal activity patterns that warrant further scrutiny.

February 2024 witnessed a 200% increase in robbery cases, rising from 2 to 6 incidents — the most dramatic month-on-month surge in the dataset. This spike contrasts with the broader trend of declining crime rates and challenges assumptions about winter months being inherently safer. Simultaneously, possession of weapons rose by 71.4% (from 7 to 12 cases), a figure that, while still below the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), may signal emerging concerns. Shoplifting also increased by 27.3% (from 55 to 70 cases), potentially linked to pre-Easter retail activity or changes in enforcement patterns. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 77.8% (from 9 to 2 cases), a decline that aligns with Herefordshire's low urban density and limited cycling infrastructure. The crime mix revealed a striking disparity: 40.9% of all incidents were violent crimes, yet this category remained 16% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour (16.1% of total crimes) and public order offences (4.9%) were also significantly below UK averages, suggesting Herefordshire's community-focused policing model may be effective in curbing disorderly conduct. Residents might find the 77% reduction in vehicle crime (23 vs 0.4 per 1,000 UK average) particularly reassuring, though this could reflect Herefordshire's rural character and limited car-centric environments.

Herefordshire's February 2024 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents marked a 2.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.2 per 1,000, continuing a downward trajectory that has persisted for several months. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 33 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within Herefordshire's population of 191,047 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 199 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average for most comparable areas. This statistic underscores Herefordshire's status as a relatively safe region, particularly when compared to densely populated urban centres where crime rates are typically higher. The 29.6% gap between Herefordshire's crime rate and the UK average (7.1 per 1,000) highlights the area's distinct demographic profile — a mix of rural and small-town communities with lower population density and fewer opportunities for certain types of crime. While the 2.9% monthly decline is modest, it contributes to a broader pattern of stability that has characterised Herefordshire's crime statistics over the past year. The comparison also reveals that the area's low vehicle crime rate (23 cases) — 77% below the UK average — is consistent with its limited urban infrastructure and the absence of large car-centric commercial zones.