Higham Ferrers Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Higham Ferrers maintained a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, 10.8% below the UK average, reflecting the area’s relatively low exposure to crime compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.9% of all incidents, followed by shoplifting (20.6%) and anti-social behaviour (6.4%). This pattern aligns with the town’s character as a small built-up area within North Northamptonshire, where local policing and community cohesion may contribute to lower overall rates. However, shoplifting in Higham Ferrers was 146% above the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the town’s retail presence and the seasonal context of January—a month with reduced footfall and potential vulnerabilities in shop security. The decline in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 18.2% compared to December, could be attributed to the quieter social calendar of January, with fewer public events and shorter evenings limiting opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour saw a significant 71.4% decrease, likely driven by the same seasonal factors. These trends illustrate the complex relationship between local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime patterns, with Higham Ferrers demonstrating both strengths and areas for improvement in its approach to crime prevention.

January 2024 saw an 18.2% reduction in violence and sexual offences, the most common crime category, which fell from 33 to 27 incidents. This decrease may reflect the seasonal dip in social activity typical of January, a month with fewer public events and shorter evenings. Conversely, other theft rose sharply by 200%, increasing from one to three incidents, likely linked to heightened opportunistic behaviour in the post-holiday period. Anti-social behaviour also declined significantly, with a 71.4% drop from 14 to 4 incidents, possibly due to the quieter nature of January and reduced public gatherings. Shoplifting rates in Higham Ferrers were 146% above the UK average, with 13 incidents recorded—more than double the national benchmark of 0.6 per 1,000. This disparity suggests local retail environments, such as the town’s high street, may face unique challenges in preventing theft. Meanwhile, vehicle crime remained 20% below the UK average, indicating that the town’s lower population density and limited commuter traffic may contribute to fewer vehicle-related incidents.

Higham Ferrers recorded a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, a 7.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.1. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may limit opportunities for outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 2 crimes reported each day, a figure consistent with the town’s small population and low-density built-up character. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 151 residents, underscoring the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the town’s population of 9,533, this monthly exposure highlights the rarity of incidents in a community where local policing and community engagement likely play a role in maintaining safety. The rate remains 10.8% below the UK average, reinforcing Higham Ferrers’ position as a safer area relative to national trends, though specific crime types like shoplifting remain high compared to national benchmarks.