Hexham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Hexham’s crime profile in February 2024, accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents. With a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 39.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a disparity that underscores Hexham’s relatively low-risk environment. The breakdown reveals that 22 cases of violence and sexual offences—equivalent to 2.1 per 1,000 residents—were recorded, significantly below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This category’s prominence may reflect local dynamics, such as the area’s small-town character and limited nightlife, which could reduce opportunities for certain types of violent crime. Conversely, property crimes, though lower than violent crimes, still accounted for 16 of the total 45 incidents, with burglary and anti-social behaviour contributing notable shares. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the lower-than-UK-average rates for crimes like shoplifting and vehicle crime, which typically peak during busier periods. However, the persistence of violence and sexual offences suggests that targeted interventions, such as community policing or local support networks, may be critical to addressing this category’s impact on residents.

February 2024 saw significant fluctuations in crime trends, with shoplifting surging by 200% to three reported incidents, the highest increase of any category. This jump, from one to three cases, may be linked to seasonal factors, such as increased retail activity during pre-Christmas periods or the timing of local events. Meanwhile, burglary rose by 66.7% to five cases, a notable increase that could indicate vulnerabilities in residential security or changes in offender behaviour during winter months. Violence and sexual offences also climbed by 10%, though they remain 16% below the UK average, a contrast that highlights Hexham’s overall safety compared to national trends. On the other hand, public order offences fell sharply by 60%, from five to two cases, reflecting reduced foot traffic in public spaces during colder weather. Other theft and criminal damage and arson both decreased by 25% and 20%, respectively, aligning with the area’s seasonal lull. These shifts underscore the importance of understanding local patterns, such as the potential role of Hexham’s rural-urban mix in shaping crime dynamics, where limited commercial activity may reduce opportunities for certain offences but leave other categories, like violence, more entrenched.

Hexham’s crime rate in February 2024 dropped by 6.3% compared to the previous month’s rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a slight but measurable decline in overall activity. This decrease is evident in the daily crime context, with 45 total incidents spread over 29 days, equating to approximately 2 crimes per day—a figure that places Hexham well below the UK average for similar-sized areas. On a monthly scale, the exposure rate of 1 crime per 231 residents offers a tangible perspective for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime is relatively low. When scaled to Hexham’s population of 10,393, this statistic reinforces the area’s status as a safer-than-average locality, particularly when contrasted with the UK’s broader context, where burglary rates are higher. The comparison also highlights Hexham’s unique profile: while the area’s lower crime rates may be influenced by its semi-rural setting and smaller population, the persistence of violence and sexual offences suggests that localised factors—such as the presence of community hubs or social services—play a role in shaping crime outcomes. These figures, when viewed alongside the UK’s higher rates, offer reassurance to residents while also emphasizing the need for continued attention to the most persistent crime categories.