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

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in March 2024 stood at 9.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 28.6% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This disparity reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences, with the transition to spring likely contributing to shifts in crime patterns. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (11.9%) and anti-social behaviour (10.1%). These figures contrast sharply with the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which are 2.7 per 1,000, suggesting that Ross-on-Wye faces a higher risk in this category. The seasonal context of March—characterised by longer evenings and the clocks moving forward—may have played a role in the rise of violent crimes, as increased daylight hours and social activity in public spaces could create opportunities for offenders. Additionally, the area’s status as a built-up part of Herefordshire, with a mix of residential and commercial zones, may contribute to the prominence of property-related crimes like shoplifting. While anti-social behaviour rates were 14% below the UK average, this may be due to local initiatives or community policing efforts that have mitigated such incidents. However, the significant increase in criminal damage and arson—450% higher than the previous month—raises concerns about potential environmental or economic factors influencing these offences. The data also highlights a 64% increase in other theft compared to the UK average, pointing to a broader trend in property crime that may require targeted interventions. Overall, the March 2024 figures illustrate a complex picture of rising violent crime alongside pockets of relative safety in other categories, necessitating a nuanced approach to addressing local challenges.

March 2024 saw dramatic increases in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson rising 450% from 2 to 11 incidents. This spike may reflect seasonal factors, such as the transition to spring, which often correlates with increased property-related offences. Robbery rates doubled from 0 to 1, a rare but concerning development that could signal shifts in criminal activity patterns. Possession of weapons also doubled, a 100% increase that aligns with broader trends in violent crime. Shoplifting rates in Ross-on-Wye were 97% above the UK average, a stark contrast to anti-social behaviour rates, which were 14% below the national figure. This divergence highlights the combination of different crime types, with retail areas contributing to shoplifting while community initiatives may help reduce anti-social behaviour. For residents, the most immediate concern is the 42% increase in violence and sexual offences, which are 3.8 per 1,000 residents in the area, compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This suggests a need for enhanced safety measures in public spaces, particularly during evening hours when the area’s transition to longer days may influence crime timing.

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in March 2024 rose to 9.9 per 1,000 residents, a 60.4% increase from the previous month’s 6.2 per 1,000. This places the area 28.6% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects local patterns in violent crime and property offences. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day in March, a figure that may feel more frequent to residents given the area’s small population of 10,996. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 101 residents faced a reported crime, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the density of incidents relative to the population. This statistic, while not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, underscores the need for community-focused policing and awareness in Ross-on-Wye. The rise in violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences, which are 42% above the UK average, suggests a shift in crime dynamics that may require targeted interventions. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that anti-social behaviour rates are 14% below the national figure, indicating a potential strength in local community engagement or policing strategies that could be leveraged to address rising concerns in other categories.