Ross-on-Wye Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Shoplifting in Ross-on-Wye during August 2024 was 125% above the UK average, a stark outlier in an otherwise stable crime profile. The built-up area recorded 8.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.2% above the national average of 8.2. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.8% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (18.7%) and anti-social behaviour (15.4%). August, a peak holiday month, likely contributed to the seasonal dynamics observed, with increased tourism and empty homes potentially heightening burglary risks. While violent crime rates remained slightly below the UK average for this category, the surge in shoplifting raises questions about retail security measures and foot traffic patterns. The area’s compact built-up nature may amplify the visibility of petty crimes, though property crime as a whole (37 cases) was balanced by a relatively low rate of burglary (2 cases). Anti-social behaviour, though present at 14 incidents, was 10% below the UK average, reflecting community cohesion efforts. The data suggests a combination of transient populations and local enforcement, with August’s transient influx from tourism likely influencing the crime mix. This snapshot highlights both the area’s resilience and the challenges of managing seasonal fluctuations in a historic market town.

August 2024 saw a 300% increase in 'other crime' (from 1 to 4 cases), a category that includes fraud and cybercrime, which may partly explain the 150% surge above the UK average. Concurrently, 'other theft' doubled from 4 to 8 cases, a 100% month-on-month rise that aligns with the 23% UK comparison advantage for this category. Shoplifting remained the most striking anomaly, with 17 incidents (1.6 per 1,000 residents) compared to the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This 125% disparity suggests targeted retail vulnerabilities, possibly exacerbated by August’s high foot traffic. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 33.3% (from 6 to 4 cases), and public order offences decreased by 16.7%, indicating potential success in managing summer-related disturbances. Residents may find the 300% spike in 'other crime' particularly concerning, as it includes non-traditional offences that may not be immediately visible to the public. The data also shows burglary increased by 100% (from 1 to 2 cases), a concerning shift in property crime patterns that could reflect the seasonal risk of unoccupied homes during holidays.

The crime rate in August 2024 rose 19.8% compared to July’s 6.9 per 1,000, reflecting a marked upward trend. On a daily basis, Ross-on-Wye experienced approximately 3 crimes per day during the month, a figure that, while modest, underscores the cumulative impact of seasonal pressures. Over the course of August, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 121 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the area’s population of 10,996, highlights the relative rarity of incidents despite the 1.2% national disparity. This rate is lower than the UK average when considering property crime, with burglary and vehicle crime both significantly below national benchmarks. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting and 'other crime' suggests that the area’s crime profile is evolving, with transient populations and digital vulnerabilities emerging as new challenges. The 19.8% increase from July, while statistically significant, must be interpreted cautiously against the backdrop of August’s unique seasonal dynamics. For residents, the most tangible takeaway is the need for heightened vigilance during peak holiday periods, particularly in retail areas where shoplifting rates are elevated.