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

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in September 2025 stood at 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 35.1% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure highlights a consistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels, a pattern that may be influenced by the area’s character as a relatively small, community-focused town within Herefordshire. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.1% of all reported incidents (17 cases), though this rate remains 38% below the UK average. Shoplifting followed, contributing 22.6% of the total (12 cases), a category where Ross-on-Wye’s rate is 80% higher than the UK average. The seasonal context of September, with its back-to-school and university freshers’ week, likely plays a role in shaping these patterns. While the area’s lower overall crime rate may be attributed to a combination of local policing efforts and the compact nature of its built-up environment, the higher-than-average shoplifting figures suggest vulnerabilities in retail security that warrant attention. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted slightly, with property crimes (25 cases) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (17 cases), a trend that may reflect the area’s retail presence and the impact of seasonal foot traffic. These findings illustrate the nuanced interplay between local demographics, geography, and the timing of the year in shaping crime profiles, even within a relatively low-crime setting.

September saw a marked improvement in public order offences, which fell by 75% compared to August, from 8 to 2 incidents. This decline may reflect the start of the academic term, with increased community activity potentially reducing opportunities for disorder. Conversely, shoplifting increased by 33.3%, rising from 9 to 12 cases, a trend that contrasts with the UK average where shoplifting rates are 80% lower. The rise in this category may be linked to the influx of university students. Burglary also saw a 100% increase, with two incidents reported, a figure that remains 29% below the UK average. This anomaly could be attributed to seasonal transitions, as evenings draw in and property security measures may be temporarily relaxed. The most significant decrease was in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 58.3%, indicating a correlation between structured routines and reduced disruptive activity in the area.

Ross-on-Wye’s September 2025 crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents marks a 32.9% decrease from the previous month’s 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained reduction in criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 207 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of risk faced by individuals in the built-up area. This monthly exposure is particularly significant when compared to the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be higher. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the area’s proximity to Herefordshire’s rural expanses, its crime profile remains distinct from both regional and national trends. The drop in crime may partly explain the reduced pressure on local policing resources, though seasonal factors like the return to school and university term could also contribute to this shift.