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

Ross-on-Wye's crime rate in September 2024 stood at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 41.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This marked improvement reflects broader trends in the built-up area's approach to community safety, though seasonal factors likely played a role. Violence and sexual offences (16 incidents) accounted for 32.7% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.4%) and shoplifting (12.2%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for these categories, which show Ross-on-Wye consistently underperforming in violent crime rates (43% below the UK average) and anti-social behaviour (32% below). The area's lower crime profile may stem from its rural-urban hybrid character, with limited nightlife and strong community policing initiatives. Seasonal context suggests September's back-to-school period and university freshers' week could have influenced patterns, though the drop in violent crime suggests effective local interventions. While shoplifting and public order offences declined, the persistent presence of violence and anti-social behaviour indicates ongoing challenges that require targeted measures.

September 2024 saw significant declines in several crime categories, with shoplifting falling 64.7% compared to August (17 to 6 incidents). This sharp reduction may reflect heightened retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behaviour. Public order offences also dropped 60% (5 to 2 incidents), potentially linked to the transition from summer evenings to shorter nights. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type (32.7% of total), though their rate (1.5 per 1,000) was 43% below the UK average. A smaller but still substantial decrease was recorded in criminal damage and arson, which fell 75% (4 to 1 incidents), due to increased community vigilance during the autumn season. While property crime (17 incidents) made up 34.7% of all reported crimes, this proportion was lower than the UK average for property crimes (typically around 45-50% of total crimes). These shifts in crime mix suggest a growing emphasis on addressing violent and anti-social behaviour, which now account for over half of all reported incidents in the area.

Ross-on-Wye's September 2024 crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 represents a 46.1% decrease from August's 8.3 per 1,000, marking the most significant monthly drop in the area's recent history. This decline is particularly striking when considering the daily crime context: with 49 crimes reported over 30 days, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in September. Monthly exposure calculations show that, on average, one reported crime occurred for every 224 residents over the course of the month. This figure is lower than the UK average monthly exposure. The population-scaled perspective highlights Ross-on-Wye's unique position as a relatively safe built-up area within Herefordshire, where crime rates are consistently below national averages. This contrast is most evident in categories like anti-social behaviour (32% below UK average) and vehicle crime (33% below UK average), which suggest that the area's community-oriented policing and limited urban density contribute to its lower crime profile. However, the relatively higher rate of 'other crime' (76% above UK average) indicates specific challenges that may require targeted attention, particularly given the area's mix of rural and urban characteristics.