Herefordshire Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire's crime profile in January 2024 featured 988 reported incidents, equating to 5.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figure, while representing a 5.1% increase from December 2023, remains 29.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. The area's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 41.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.9%). These patterns align with Herefordshire's character as a largely rural district with a mix of small towns and open countryside, where interpersonal conflicts and property damage may be more pronounced than in densely populated urban areas. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday periods, reduced retail activity, and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the lower incidence of outdoor crimes typically associated with busier months. However, the persistent gap between Herefordshire's rates and the UK average suggests that local factors such as community cohesion, rural policing strategies, and lower population density play a significant role in maintaining relatively low crime levels. The area's violent crime rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 15% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect Herefordshire's emphasis on community policing and its relatively stable social environment.

January saw a 108.3% increase in 'other crime' incidents, rising from 12 to 25 cases. This surge, while not linked to any specific category, highlights the need for further local investigation into emerging criminal trends. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 43.1% compared to December, aligning with seasonal patterns typical of January, when shorter days and reduced retail footfall may contribute to lower incidents of disorder. Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 41.9% of all crimes, remained 15% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect Herefordshire's lower population density and strong community engagement. Vehicle crime in the area was 80% below the UK average, a figure that could be attributed to Herefordshire's rural character, where vehicle theft is less common than in densely populated urban centres.

Herefordshire's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 5.1% compared to December 2023, moving from 4.9 to 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This upward shift, though modest, contrasts with the broader UK trend of falling crime rates in recent years. On a daily basis, the area recorded 32 crimes per day in January, a figure that provides context for local residents to gauge the frequency of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 193 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low level of criminal activity when compared to larger urban areas. This statistic, however, does not account for variations in population density across Herefordshire's rural and urban pockets. The population-scaled perspective reveals that even with the 5.1% increase, Herefordshire remains significantly below the UK average, reinforcing its position as a generally safer area with lower crime prevalence.