Ross-on-Wye Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 10,996 residents, Ross-on-Wye recorded 58 crimes in December 2025—a rate of 5.3 per 1,000 people, 24.3% below the UK average of 7.0. This makes it one of the safest built-up areas in Herefordshire, a county typically marked by low crime rates. The crime profile shows a near-even split between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 37.9% of total incidents (22 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (15.5%) and shoplifting (15.5%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for these categories, where violence and sexual offences are 22% higher and shoplifting is 40% higher nationally. Seasonal factors likely contribute to the pattern: December’s dark evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and temporary empty homes during the holiday period may have influenced both property and violent crime trends. While the overall rate remains stable, the balance between crime types suggests a shift in local dynamics, with property crimes (including shoplifting and criminal damage) slightly outpacing violent crime—a departure from the national trend where violent crime typically dominates. The town’s character as a small, mixed-use settlement with a strong retail core may explain the prominence of shoplifting and criminal damage, which are often linked to high-traffic areas. However, the significantly lower rate of violence compared to the UK average indicates effective community policing or social cohesion factors that warrant further analysis.

December 2025 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with criminal damage and arson jumping 125% month-on-month from 4 to 9 incidents—a stark increase likely tied to festive season property neglect or targeted acts. Burglary also doubled from 0 to 2 cases, while other theft rose by 100% to 2 incidents, possibly reflecting heightened home security awareness during the holidays. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell sharply by two-thirds (6 to 2), suggesting reduced illicit activity during the festive period. Public order offences dropped by 60% (10 to 4), possibly due to fewer late-night gatherings in December. Shoplifting decreased by 40% (15 to 9), which may indicate successful retail security measures or seasonal shopper behavior changes. The town’s violence and sexual offences rate (2.0 per 1,000) remains 22% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 35% lower than national levels. These figures highlight a local resilience to certain crime types, though the spike in criminal damage and arson raises questions about unoccupied properties during the holidays. Residents might find the 125% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a specific vulnerability during December that could inform targeted local initiatives.

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents in December 2025 marks an 18.4% decline from the previous month’s rate of 6.5, reflecting a trend toward lower overall crime. On a daily basis, the town experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period—a figure that, while modest, underscores the persistent nature of local crime patterns. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 190 residents over the course of the month, a ratio that places Ross-on-Wye well below the UK average for similar-sized communities. The town’s population of 10,996 means that even a small number of incidents can represent a significant proportion of the local population, making crime statistics particularly sensitive to changes. For context, the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000 residents suggests that Ross-on-Wye is 24.3% safer than the national benchmark, a gap that has likely been maintained through consistent policing efforts or community engagement. However, the recent spike in criminal damage and arson highlights a vulnerability that could widen this gap if not addressed. The monthly exposure metric—1 in 190 residents affected—provides a tangible sense of scale for residents, showing that while crime is relatively low, it remains a regular feature of life in this small built-up area. This balance between safety and persistent local challenges is a defining characteristic of Ross-on-Wye’s crime profile.