Herefordshire Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire's October 2024 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents places the area 34.6% below the UK average, a consistent trend reflecting the district's safer profile. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.3% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.0% and shoplifting at 9.2%. These figures align with the area's rural-urban mix, where retail centres and community hubs may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, though both remain significantly below national averages. Seasonal factors in October—such as darker evenings and the Halloween period—likely influenced crime patterns, with potential increases in opportunistic crimes during low-light conditions. However, the overall rate of violent crime remains lower than the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 2.0 per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 2.7 per 1,000. This suggests effective local measures or demographic characteristics, such as a lower population density or stronger community engagement, may be contributing to the area's lower violent crime levels. Anti-social behaviour, while still a concern, also shows a 38% gap below the UK average, indicating successful community policing or environmental interventions. The continued dominance of property crimes, particularly shoplifting, raises questions about retail security practices in Herefordshire.5 per 1,000 remains well below the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. These patterns underscore the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime prevention strategies in maintaining a relatively low crime environment.

October saw a marked decrease in theft from the person, with reported incidents falling by 87.5% from 8 to 1, a shift that may reflect heightened awareness or seasonal factors. Bicycle theft also declined significantly, dropping by 54.5% from 11 to 5, potentially linked to increased security measures or reduced outdoor activity during darker evenings. Burglary rates fell by 16.7%, from 42 to 35, a trend consistent with the overall pattern of property crimes remaining below UK averages. Conversely, shoplifting increased by 22.1%, rising from 77 to 94, which may be tied to Halloween-related activity or retail patterns. The category of 'other crime' saw the most dramatic rise, jumping 52.2% from 23 to 35, suggesting emerging trends or shifts in reporting practices. Violence and sexual offences, at 37.3% of total crimes, remained 25% below the UK average, highlighting Herefordshire's continued success in managing violent crime despite seasonal transitions.

Herefordshire's crime rate in October 2024 rose slightly by 4.9% compared to September's 5.1 per 1,000 residents, though it remains well below the UK average. The local daily crime figure stands at approximately 33 incidents per day, a number that contextualises the frequency of reported crimes within the community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 188 residents, underscoring the relatively low risk of experiencing crime in Herefordshire. When viewed against the area's population of 191,047, this monthly exposure rate highlights the proportion of residents affected by crime in a single month. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Herefordshire continues to maintain a safer profile compared to the UK as a whole, despite the small upward trend in the overall rate. This comparison provides a clear snapshot of how local crime levels align with broader national trends, while also reflecting the specific dynamics of a rural district with a mix of urban and rural characteristics.