Higham Ferrers Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Higham Ferrers' crime profile in December 2024 reveals a striking anomaly: shoplifting rates were 216% above the UK average, with 17 incidents reported (35.4% of total crimes). This contrasts sharply with the area's overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents—29.6% below the UK average of 7.1. The breakdown shows property crimes (29 incidents) dominated the landscape, accounting for 60.4% of all reported crimes, with shoplifting as the most prevalent category. Violent crimes, at 14 incidents (29.2% of total), were 41% below the UK average, suggesting a relatively safer environment for residents compared to national trends. Seasonal factors likely contribute to these patterns: December's dark evenings and holiday shopping activity may partly explain the shoplifting spike, while the area's smaller population and lower density could help explain the overall lower crime rate. The data aligns with typical trends in built-up areas of North Northamptonshire, where commercial activity in the town centre may drive retail-related offences, but community cohesion and limited nightlife could suppress violent crime. The absence of significant spikes in vehicle crime or public order offences further indicates a stable environment, though the shoplifting outlier warrants closer examination of retail security measures.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with other theft rising 100% (0 to 3 incidents) and drug-related offences doubling (0 to 1). This contrasts with a 71.4% drop in anti-social behaviour (7 to 2 incidents), suggesting temporary changes in community activity or policing focus. The violent crime category increased by 40% (10 to 14 incidents), though it remains 41% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Shoplifting's dominance (35.4% of total crimes) highlights a specific challenge, with its rate of 1.8 per 1,000 far exceeding the UK's 0.6 per 1,000. This disparity may reflect Higham Ferrers' retail presence, with local shops potentially more vulnerable to theft during peak shopping periods. Meanwhile, vehicle crime and criminal damage remained stable, aligning with the UK average. A resident might find the 2.2% monthly increase in overall crime rate (from 4.9 to 5.0 per 1,000) noteworthy, though this small rise does not indicate a significant trend. The data also shows a 56% reduction in public order offences compared to the UK average, linked to the area's quieter character compared to larger urban centres.

Higham Ferrers' crime rate in December 2024 rose slightly by 2.2% compared to November's 4.9 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 48 crimes were reported—roughly 2 per day, a pace consistent with the area's low overall rate. This translates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 199 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively safe environment compared to national standards. The population context is critical: with 9,533 residents, the area's smaller size means each crime has a more pronounced impact on community perception. Daily crime counts, while providing a snapshot of activity, must be viewed alongside the broader picture of low overall rates. The 29.6% gap between Higham Ferrers and the UK average highlights the effectiveness of local policing or community factors in suppressing crime. The area's property crime rate (5.9 per 1,000) is significantly lower than the UK's 11.5 per 1,000, reflecting a combination of retail security measures and limited commercial density. This contrast with the shoplifting outlier suggests that while specific vulnerabilities exist, the area's overall crime profile is markedly safer than the national average.