Hexham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hexham's crime profile in December 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences comprising 42% of all reported incidents—significantly higher than the UK average of 24% for this category. This dominance of violent crime, coupled with a 33.3% reduction in the overall rate compared to the UK average (4.8 vs 7.2 per 1,000), underscores a unique local dynamic. The area's relatively low property crime rate—particularly for theft from the person (44% below UK average) and other theft (32% below)—suggests a community with limited exposure to opportunistic crime, possibly due to its rural-urban hybrid character. However, the sharp rise in burglary (71% above UK average) and anti-social behaviour (3% below UK average) indicates localized pressures. Seasonal factors, including Christmas shopping and extended evenings, may partly explain the spike in violent crime, while the low theft rates could reflect Hexham's smaller population and lower foot traffic compared to major urban centres. This mix of crime types illustrates a community grappling with specific vulnerabilities—particularly in residential security—while maintaining a generally safer profile than the national average.

December 2023 saw a 200% increase in burglary cases, rising from 2 to 6 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with a 20% decrease in other theft, which fell from 5 to 4. The crime mix also shifted significantly, with violent crimes making up 42% of all reported incidents—higher than the UK average of 24% for this category. Anti-social behaviour surged by 125%, jumping from 4 to 9 cases, likely tied to seasonal factors such as Christmas shopping and extended evenings. Theft from the person, though minimal (just 1 case), saw a 100% increase from zero to one, an anomaly that may reflect isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. These figures highlight a combination of seasonal pressures and localized vulnerabilities, with property crime rates remaining lower than the UK average for burglary but higher for public order offences.

Hexham's crime rate in December 2023 rose 16.2% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.1 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains well below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day over 31 days, reflecting a steady but low-level presence of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 208 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low exposure compared to larger urban areas. This monthly aggregate suggests that while crime is not absent, its frequency is proportionally lower than in regions with higher population densities or different socioeconomic profiles. The population of 10,393 further contextualises these figures, highlighting that even small changes in crime numbers can translate to meaningful shifts in local perception when scaled across the community.