Higham Ferrers Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2024, Higham Ferrers recorded a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 35.5% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. The area’s crime profile was dominated by property crimes, which accounted for 59.6% of all incidents, compared to 21.3% for violent crimes. This stark imbalance suggests that retail environments and commercial spaces may be more prominent in the built-up area than residential zones, though the exact character of Higham Ferrers remains unclear. The most common crime was shoplifting, which contributed 34% of total incidents—nearly double the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This spike may be linked to the timing of Black Friday shopping, which often falls in late November, and the area’s likely proximity to high streets or retail hubs. Violence and sexual offences, while lower than the UK average, still accounted for a significant share of crimes, with 10 incidents reported. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night, shorter days, and the start of the festive shopping period—may have influenced both the increase in shoplifting and the decrease in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 68.2% compared to October. The overall crime rate’s decline from 7.5 per 1,000 in October to 4.9 per 1,000 in November suggests that local policing strategies or natural seasonal patterns may be contributing to a stabilisation in crime levels. However, the continued dominance of property crimes over violent ones raises questions about the area’s economic activity and the potential for targeted interventions in retail security.

November 2024 marked a stark contrast in crime types, with property crimes (28) outnumbering violent crimes (10) by nearly threefold. This imbalance may reflect the area’s retail presence, as shoplifting alone accounted for 34% of all crimes—nearly double the UK average for this category. The 100% month-on-month increase in shoplifting, from 8 to 16 incidents, likely ties to Black Friday promotions and the timing of November’s dark evenings, which may deter outdoor activity but encourage opportunistic theft. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell sharply by 68.2%, from 22 to 7 incidents, linked to fewer large gatherings during the month. Violent crimes, at 10 incidents (21.3% of total), were 57% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may indicate the town’s lower population density and community cohesion. These figures highlight a seasonal shift, with retail-focused crimes rising while public order issues declined, offering residents a nuanced view of local safety dynamics.

November 2024 saw a notable drop in Higham Ferrers’ overall crime rate, falling from 7.5 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents—a 33.8% decrease compared to the previous month. This shift places the area significantly below the UK average, with 35.5% fewer crimes than the national figure of 7.6 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 2 crimes per day, a manageable figure that reflects the community’s relative safety. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 203 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests the likelihood of encountering crime is low for most residents. This contrast with the previous month’s rate highlights a potential stabilisation in local policing efforts or a seasonal reduction in incidents tied to November’s darker evenings and fewer large gatherings. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that Higham Ferrers remains a low-crime area, with its crime profile aligning more closely with smaller towns than larger urban centres.