Hexham Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hexham’s overall crime rate in April 2023 stood at 4.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 38.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure reflects a safer environment than the national average, a trend consistent with Hexham’s character as a small, built-up area within rural Northumberland. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 50% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (25%) and public order offences (10.4%). These statistics align with Hexham’s relatively low population density and limited urban infrastructure, which may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Seasonal factors in April, such as the Easter period and increased outdoor activity, could have influenced the mix of offences, though the rate of violence remains 12% below the UK average. Public order crimes, at 0.5 per 1,000, were 22% below the UK average, reflecting the town’s community-focused environment and lower foot traffic compared to larger urban centres. The low rate of shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000) and other theft (0.1 per 1,000) further underscores Hexham’s unique profile, where local policing and smaller retail presence may contribute to reduced property crime. However, the data also highlights specific areas for attention, such as the 131% increase in ‘other crime’ compared to the UK average, which will be explored in the highlights section.

April 2023 saw notable fluctuations in crime categories, with several month-on-month changes reflecting shifting patterns. Robbery, bicycle theft, and other crime all increased by 100% compared to the previous month, with robbery rising from 0 to 1 incident and bicycle theft similarly doubling. This surge in ‘other crime’—a category 131% above the UK average—suggests a need for closer examination of what constitutes this broad category, as it may include less common or emerging types of offences. Conversely, other theft dropped by 75% (from 4 to 1 incidents), likely due to a reduction in targeted property crimes or improved local security measures. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 36.8%, from 19 to 12 incidents, possibly linked to Easter-related community events or temporary changes in public activity. Despite these shifts, the overall crime mix remained skewed towards violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for half of all reported crimes. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes often dominate, and may be partly explained by Hexham’s smaller, more tightly knit population, where interpersonal conflicts are more likely to escalate. The increase in bicycle theft, while minor in absolute terms, could indicate heightened cycling activity during spring or a potential vulnerability in local bike storage facilities.

Hexham’s crime rate in April 2023 (4.6 per 1,000) was 29.4% lower than the previous month’s rate of 6.5 per 1,000, illustrating a clear downward trend over recent months. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the pace of criminal activity in a small built-up area. When scaled to the population of 10,393 residents, this translates to one reported crime for every 217 residents over the course of the month—a ratio significantly lower than the UK average. This suggests that residents of Hexham face a much lower risk of encountering crime than the national average, a trend that may be reinforced by the town’s rural setting and community-oriented policing. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the rarity of crime in Hexham, with the likelihood of being a victim of any crime standing at just 0.046% (1 in 217) for the month. This low monthly exposure is consistent with the area’s limited urban infrastructure and lower foot traffic, which may naturally deter certain types of crime. However, the 131% increase in ‘other crime’ compared to the UK average indicates that specific, less common offences may be occurring at disproportionate rates, warranting further analysis to ensure they do not represent an emerging trend.