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

Ross-on-Wye’s crime profile in July 2025 reveals a marked contrast between violent and property-related offences, with the former dominating the monthly tally. At 7.1 per 1,000 residents, the area’s overall crime rate remains 17.4% below the UK average of 8.6, a figure that positions it as one of the safer built-up areas in England and Wales. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.6% of all crimes, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category (3.0 per 1,000), suggesting a localised concentration of incidents that may be influenced by the town’s character as a historic market town with a strong tourism sector. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and the influx of visitors to events such as the Herefordshire Food and Drink Festival—likely contributes to this pattern, with increased foot traffic potentially heightening opportunities for both violent and property crimes. However, the rate of property crimes, while lower than violent offences, still shows anomalies: shoplifting rose sharply to 0.8 per 1,000, 23% above the UK average, reflecting the presence of high-street retail areas or the impact of transient visitors. In contrast, anti-social behaviour and public order offences fell sharply, aligning with the broader seasonal trend of reduced enforcement activity during holidays. This dynamic suggests that the town’s crime picture is shaped not only by its demographic makeup but also by the rhythms of tourism and local festivals, which may require tailored policing strategies to address emerging risks without overburdening resources.

July 2025 saw a sharp rise in burglary and vehicle crime, both doubling from previous months, while shoplifting increased by 125%. This surge in property-related offences contrasts with a notable decline in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which fell by 58.8% and 55.6% respectively. The dominance of violent crimes—accounting for 43.6% of all incidents—places Ross-on-Wye 2% above the UK average for violence and sexual offences, despite the overall rate remaining lower nationally. This imbalance may reflect the impact of summer festivals, which draw crowds to the town’s historic centre, potentially increasing opportunities for violent incidents. For residents, the 200% increase in burglary underscores the need for heightened vigilance, particularly in areas with transient populations or during events that attract large numbers of visitors.

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in July 2025 rose by 27.7% compared to June, moving from 5.6 to 7.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though still below the UK average of 8.6, highlights a shift in local dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately three crimes per day, a figure that reflects the town’s relatively low population density and the seasonal influx of visitors during peak summer. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 141 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the community. When scaled to the town’s population of 10,996, this suggests that while crime remains a concern, it is not high compared to the UK average. The increase in violent crimes, however, may signal a need for targeted policing efforts during the summer months, when tourism and festivals draw larger crowds to the area.