Herefordshire Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The balance between property and violent crime in Herefordshire during August 2025 reveals a marked dominance of violent offences over property-related incidents. With a total crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents, the area recorded 420 violent crimes compared to 323 property crimes, a disparity that underscores a shift in the local crime profile. This rate, 32.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, suggests a relatively safer environment for residents, though the prominence of violent crime warrants attention. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.0%. These figures contrast with the UK averages, where violence and sexual offences are 23% higher and anti-social behaviour is 32% higher. Seasonal factors may influence these patterns: August, a peak holiday month, could see increased social activity and tourism, which might contribute to higher rates of violent crimes. However, the lower property crime rate compared to the UK average may reflect Herefordshire's rural character, where fewer commercial spaces and lower population density could reduce opportunities for theft and burglary. The data also indicates that shoplifting, criminal damage, and public order offences are all below UK averages, aligning with the area's quieter, more community-focused environment. While the overall crime rate remains low, the dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted policing and community engagement to address underlying social dynamics. The seasonal context, including the potential for empty homes during the summer months, may also play a role in shaping burglary risks, though this remains a smaller proportion of total crimes compared to other categories.

August 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with theft from the person surging by 100% (from 2 to 4 incidents), vehicle crime rising by 35% (from 20 to 27), and robbery increasing by 14.3% (from 7 to 8). These increases, while modest in absolute terms, suggest localized vulnerabilities that may require closer scrutiny. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell sharply by 41.5% (from 41 to 24), and other crime categories, including 'other crime' (-30.8%) and bicycle theft (-27.3%), also declined. The shift in the crime mix is particularly striking: violent crimes accounted for nearly 40% of all incidents, significantly outpacing property crimes, which make up 30.6% of the total. This imbalance is consistent with the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which are 23% below the national rate, though anti-social behaviour remains 32% below the UK average. For residents, the sharp rise in theft from the person is a concrete data point worth noting, as it highlights a growing risk in personal safety that could be mitigated through increased awareness and targeted interventions. The decline in vehicle crime, despite the 35% increase, still leaves it at 0.1 per 1,000 residents—74% below the UK average—suggesting that Herefordshire's lower population density and fewer commercial vehicles may limit opportunities for such offences. These trends illustrate a combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and the effectiveness of existing crime prevention strategies.

Herefordshire's crime rate in August 2025 (5.5 per 1,000 residents) marked an 11.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.3 per 1,000, indicating a sustained decline in overall criminal activity. Translating this into daily terms, the area experienced approximately 34 crimes per day in August, a figure that, while providing a snapshot of local crime frequency, does not directly compare to UK-wide averages due to the absence of national daily crime data. On a monthly basis, the exposure rate—1 crime per 181 residents—offers a relatable perspective for residents, emphasizing that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime remains relatively low compared to more densely populated regions. Herefordshire's population of 191,047 further contextualizes these figures: the lower crime rate, despite the seasonal influx of tourists and the potential for increased social activity, suggests that local policing and community engagement efforts may be effectively mitigating risks. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the area's distinctiveness: for instance, the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 means that Herefordshire's residents face a 32.1% lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the national average. This comparative advantage is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences, where Herefordshire's rates are 32% and 48% below the UK average, respectively. These disparities reflect the area's rural character, which may foster stronger community cohesion and reduce opportunities for crime. However, the persistent dominance of violent crime over property crime underscores the need for tailored strategies that address the specific challenges of maintaining public safety in a region with a growing tourism sector and seasonal fluctuations in population.