Ledbury Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ledbury's February 2024 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 places it 25.4% below the UK average, reflecting a consistently safer profile than the national norm. Despite this, the month saw a marked increase in violent crime, which accounted for 42% of all reported incidents — the highest proportion among all categories. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.2 per 1,000, remain lower than the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, though the 21 recorded incidents represent a significant share of the total. Anti-social behaviour, while relatively low at 1.1 per 1,000, is 5% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in community management. The seasonal context of February as a winter month with limited outdoor activity may have contributed to a shift in crime patterns, with indoor spaces becoming more targeted. This aligns with the 44% deficit in shoplifting compared to the UK average, suggesting that retail crime may be less prevalent in this rural area. However, the 400% jump in criminal damage and arson — a category typically associated with seasonal transitions — raises questions about potential environmental or economic factors at play. As a built-up area within Herefordshire, Ledbury's crime profile is shaped by its smaller population and likely lower levels of commercial activity compared to major urban centres. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) further reinforces the area's safety, though the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson warrants closer examination.

February 2024 saw a 400% surge in criminal damage and arson, jumping from 1 to 5 incidents — the most significant month-on-month increase recorded. This spike, coupled with a 100% rise in drug-related crimes, signals a worrying shift in crime dynamics. While violent crimes remain the largest category (42% of total), their rate of 2.2 per 1,000 is 12% below the UK average, a contrast to the 44% deficit seen in shoplifting. The 50% decline in burglary and 33% drop in other crime categories suggest some areas of respite. rise from January indicates a broader uptick. Residents should note that anti-social behaviour, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 5% above the UK average — a reminder that even low-level disturbances can accumulate in a small community.

Ledbury's crime rate in February 2024 rose 31.4% compared to January, marking a notable shift from the previous month's 4.0 per 1,000 to the current 5.3 per 1,000. This increase, though still well below the UK average, underscores a growing trend requiring attention. On a daily basis, residents can expect roughly 2 crimes reported per day — a figure that, while low, reflects the area's small population of 9,409. Over the course of February, the monthly exposure rate means one crime occurred for every 188 residents, a statistic that contextualises the pace of incidents within the community. When scaled to population size, this rate highlights the relative safety of Ledbury compared to larger urban centres, yet the upward trajectory suggests vigilance is warranted. The absence of a UK daily comparison figure reinforces the need to focus on local patterns rather than speculative national benchmarks.