Leominster Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Leominster’s crime profile in January 2024 reveals a combination of violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating the landscape. These accounted for 44.3% of all reported crimes, a figure significantly higher than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 for this category. The dominance of violent crime in Leominster may be influenced by its character as a built-up area within Herefordshire, where social interactions and community dynamics could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common offence, saw a marked increase, with 18 incidents recorded—nearly double the previous month’s total. This suggests that seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours, may play a role in escalating such behaviour. Meanwhile, shoplifting and criminal damage both exceeded UK averages by 23%, pointing to vulnerabilities in local retail environments or the presence of transient populations. The overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000—9.5% above the UK average—reflects a pattern where violent and anti-social crimes outweigh property-related offences, a contrast to the national trend where property crimes often dominate. This imbalance may be linked to Leominster’s relatively small population and the concentration of certain crime types in specific areas. Seasonal context further complicates the picture: January’s reduced retail footfall and colder weather may have driven some offenders toward less visible, yet persistent, forms of offending such as anti-social behaviour and drug-related incidents. However, the decline in burglary and vehicle crime—both down by 70% compared to the previous month—suggests that targeted efforts or seasonal lulls may have temporarily curbed these categories. The data underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of local conditions, where violent crime and anti-social behaviour remain pressing concerns, while property crime trends appear to be more volatile and responsive to external factors.

January 2024 saw a stark shift in Leominster’s crime mix, with anti-social behaviour surging by 100% to 18 incidents, marking the most significant month-on-month increase. This rise, alongside a doubling in 'other crime' and drug-related incidents, contrasts sharply with the 70% decline in burglary and public order offences. The town’s violent crime rate—43 incidents at 3.6 per 1,000—exceeds the UK average by 38%, a figure that may reflect the influence of local social dynamics or seasonal factors. Conversely, burglary and vehicle crime fell sharply, with vehicle crime dropping 50% to one incident, potentially linked to reduced retail activity during the post-holiday period. The data also reveals a 23% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average, suggesting that local retail environments remain vulnerable to opportunistic theft. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas where anti-social behaviour is rising, while the decline in property crimes offers a potential area for positive reinforcement.

Leominster's crime rate in January 2024 rose to 8.1 per 1,000 residents, a 10.2% increase from the previous month's 7.4 per 1,000. This places the area 9.5% above the UK average, reflecting a notable divergence from national trends. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately three crimes per day, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population of 11,924. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 123 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not extreme, highlights the persistent presence of crime in the community. This rate is particularly significant when viewed through the lens of population density—Leominster’s built-up area, though compact, may see concentrated patterns of offending that differ from more sprawling urban centres. The increase in anti-social behaviour and other crimes, coupled with a drop in burglary and vehicle crime, suggests shifting dynamics in local crime patterns that warrant closer attention to community-specific factors.