Hexham Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hexham's crime profile in March 2023 reveals a distinctive balance between violent and property crimes, with the former dominating at 35.3% of all incidents. This shift from previous months, where property crimes typically outnumbered violent ones, suggests changing dynamics in the built-up area. The overall crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 14.5% below the UK average, a position consistent with its rural-adjacent character and lower population density. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the pattern, as the transition to spring and lengthening evenings may have influenced social activity levels. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 24 incidents, with a rate of 2.3 per 1,000—16% below the UK average. This suggests effective policing in addressing more severe crimes, though the 73% increase in anti-social behaviour compared to national figures indicates areas for improvement. The breakdown shows anti-social behaviour (27.9% of all crimes) and criminal damage (13.2%) as the most prevalent issues, contrasting with the UK's lower anti-social behaviour rates. Property crimes, while lower in absolute numbers, remain significant, with shoplifting at 80% below the UK average—a reflection of Hexham's limited retail footprint compared to major urban centres. The daily crime count of 2 incidents per day aligns with the area's low-density built-up character, reinforcing the notion that Hexham's crime profile is shaped by both its geographical context and local community dynamics. This balance between crime types may indicate a combination of factors, including seasonal transitions and the area's specific social fabric, rather than any single causal element.

March 2023 saw a marked shift in crime composition, with violent crimes (24 incidents) outpacing property crimes (17 incidents) for the first time in recent months. This 35.3% share of violent offences represents a significant deviation from the 26% average seen in the previous quarter. Anti-social behaviour emerged as a standout category, reporting 73% more incidents than the UK average (1.8 vs 1.0 per 1,000). This disparity may partly explain the lower property crime figures, as public order issues often dominate in smaller built-up areas. Shoplifting in Hexham was 80% below the UK average, consistent with the area's limited retail density compared to major urban centres. Residents might find the 1-in-153 monthly exposure figure particularly useful for contextualising personal risk levels.

Hexham's crime rate in March 2023 remained stable compared to February, with no significant month-on-month shifts in overall numbers. The daily crime count of 2 incidents per day aligns with the area's low-density built-up character, where 1-in-153 residents experienced a reported crime over the month. This monthly exposure figure underscores the relatively low risk profile compared to more densely populated regions. The population-scaled perspective reveals that even with 68 total crimes, the rate per 1,000 residents (6.5) places Hexham firmly below the UK average, suggesting a combination of geographical factors and local policing effectiveness. The 1-in-153 ratio provides a tangible measure for residents, indicating that the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life remains comparatively low. This stability contrasts with areas where daily crime counts might exceed 5 per day, highlighting Hexham's position as a safer built-up area within Northumberland.