Herefordshire Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Herefordshire for May 2024 reveals a distinct profile shaped by the area’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 42% of all reported crimes, making them the most common category, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.3%) and public order offences (7.6%). This dominance of violent crime, while significant, remains 23% below the UK average for this category, a disparity that may be influenced by Herefordshire’s mix of rural and urban environments, which likely fosters a different social dynamic compared to larger cities. The relatively low prevalence of property crimes—such as shoplifting (7.3%) and burglary (4.0%)—also aligns with the UK average or falls below it, with shoplifting, for instance, being 38% below the national rate. This pattern could reflect Herefordshire’s lower population density and the presence of smaller retail centres, which may reduce opportunities for theft compared to high-traffic urban areas. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, as the longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising typical of May may contribute to the higher rates of public order offences and anti-social behaviour. These trends, however, are not uniform across all crime types; for example, vehicle crime and drugs-related offences are both significantly below the UK average, which may be attributed to the area’s rural nature and limited infrastructure for illicit activities. The overall crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents, 38.1% below the UK average, further reinforces the idea that Herefordshire’s crime profile is shaped by a combination of its geographical isolation, lower population density, and the character of its communities, which may collectively contribute to lower levels of certain crime types. This balance between violent and property crimes, along with the area’s seasonal and demographic factors, illustrates a region where crime is present but not as pervasive as in more densely populated or urbanised areas.

May 2024 saw notable shifts in Herefordshire’s crime profile, with theft from the person rising by 150% compared to the previous month, increasing from 2 to 5 incidents. This sharp rise, though still a small number in absolute terms, highlights a potential vulnerability in public spaces during the extended evenings of May. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 68.8%, dropping from 16 to 5 incidents, a decline that may reflect ongoing efforts by local authorities or community initiatives. The crime mix also revealed a significant imbalance, with violent crimes (41.8% of total) far outpacing property crimes (28.3%), a trend that contrasts with the UK average where property crimes typically hold a larger share. This violent crime dominance, however, remains 23% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, suggesting that Herefordshire’s mix of rural and urban areas may temper the prevalence of violent crime compared to more densely populated regions. For residents, the sharp increase in theft from the person serves as a clear indicator to remain vigilant in crowded areas during the late evening hours.

Herefordshire’s crime rate in May 2024 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 10.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed over recent months, suggesting a possible stabilization in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 32 crimes per day, a figure that, while reflective of local conditions, remains lower than the UK average when scaled to population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 193 residents, a statistic that contextualizes the monthly exposure in terms of personal risk. When considering the population-scaled perspective, Herefordshire’s crime rate remains 38.1% below the UK average, highlighting a consistent gap that may be influenced by the area’s mix of rural and urban characteristics, which likely contribute to lower levels of certain crime types such as vehicle crime and drugs-related offences. This contrast with the UK average underscores the importance of localized factors in shaping crime profiles, even within a national context.