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

For a population of 10,996 residents, the 56 crimes reported in December 2024 translate to 5.1 crimes per 1,000 people — a rate significantly lower than the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This places Ross-on-Wye 28.2% below the national benchmark, a consistent trend for the built-up area within Herefordshire. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, making up 39.3% of all reported incidents (22 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (23.2%, 13 cases) and public order offences (10.7%, 6 cases). The seasonal context of December — with its long evenings, holiday shopping, and empty homes — likely contributes to the mix of crimes observed, though the overall rate remains low compared to other areas. The breakdown shows a marked contrast with the UK average for violence, which sits at 2.6 per 1,000 (22% below Ross-on-Wye's rate), suggesting local factors may temper violent crime trends. Anti-social behaviour, however, exceeds the UK average by 28%, reflecting patterns often seen in small communities where social dynamics can amplify such incidents. The data also highlights a relative absence of vehicle crime (75% below UK average) and drug-related offences (58% below), aligning with the area's character as a historically quiet commuter town with limited nightlife and commercial activity outside of the town centre.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to November, with burglary plummeting by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 cases) and shoplifting declining by 57.1% (from 7 to 3). These decreases may partly explain the overall 31.8% drop in the area's crime rate from 7.5 per 1,000 in November to 5.1 per 1,000 in December. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour rose by 8.3% (12 to 13 cases) and public order offences increased by 20% (5 to 6), suggesting a possible link to the festive season's social pressures. The category of violence and sexual offences, while still the most common crime type (39.3% of total), remained 22% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, illustrating a persistent safety advantage in this part of Herefordshire. Residents may find the 75% reduction in vehicle crime (from 0.4 to 0.1 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, as it suggests a decline in motor vehicle-related incidents during the month — a trend that could be tied to fewer commuters and reduced traffic in the area during the holiday period.

The crime rate in December 2024 (5.1 per 1,000) represents a substantial 31.8% decrease from November's rate of 7.5 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant monthly declines in recent records. On a daily basis, this translates to an average of two crimes reported per day across the 31-day period — a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by the area's relatively small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 196 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable towns in England and Wales. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, the 56 total crimes equate to just 0.5% of Ross-on-Wye's population being directly affected by crime in December, a proportion that is well below the UK average. This suggests that while the town is not immune to crime, its residents benefit from a crime environment that is markedly less intense than the national average. The contrast between the town's low vehicle crime rate (75% below UK average) and its elevated anti-social behaviour incidents (28% above UK average) further underscores the unique character of Ross-on-Wye, where community dynamics and local geography may shape crime patterns in ways distinct from larger urban centres.