Herefordshire Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Herefordshire’s September 2024 crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places it 33.8% below the UK average, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.7%) and shoplifting (8.0%). These figures suggest a mix of public safety concerns and community-specific challenges, with violence remaining the most prevalent category. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return of students to local universities and the transition into autumn—may influence crime patterns, though no direct correlation is evident in the data. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (41% below UK) and anti-social behaviour (40% below) indicate effective local initiatives or community characteristics that mitigate these issues. However, the 11% increase in bicycle theft compared to the UK average raises questions about targeted vulnerabilities, such as the presence of university campuses or commuter routes that could contribute to this anomaly. The overall crime profile suggests a balanced approach to public safety, with efforts to reduce property crimes and violent incidents yielding measurable results. While the area’s lower-than-average rates are encouraging, the slight uptick in specific categories like bicycle theft underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and tailored strategies to address emerging trends.

September 2024 saw a 57.1% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 7 to 11 incidents. This spike contrasts with the overall downward trend in crime and may reflect seasonal activity linked to university freshers returning to Herefordshire. Vehicle crime also rose by 47.8%, with 34 incidents reported compared to 23 in August, potentially influenced by increased traffic or parking patterns during the month. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 26.0%, dropping from 192 to 142, suggesting a possible reduction in public disorder during September. Herefordshire’s violent crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents is 27% below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s relative safety in this category. The 56% gap between Herefordshire’s vehicle crime rate and the UK average further illustrates the region’s distinct crime profile compared to national trends.

Herefordshire's crime rate in September 2024 fell by 12.1% compared to August, declining from 5.8 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This monthly decrease aligns with broader trends observed in the area, where crime rates often stabilise in the autumn following summer peaks. On a daily basis, 32 crimes were reported in September, translating to a manageable frequency for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 197 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents against the local population. This monthly exposure rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees higher frequencies in similar-sized areas. The population-scaled perspective reinforces Herefordshire’s position as a relatively safe region, with crime levels that are consistently below national benchmarks. These figures suggest a stable environment, though the slight seasonal fluctuations warrant continued monitoring as the year progresses.