Hexham Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Hexham's crime mix in December 2025 reveals a profile shaped by both seasonal rhythms and local characteristics. The overall crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000, 30% below the UK average, highlights the area's relative safety, though the balance of crime types offers deeper insights. Violence and sexual offences (29.4% of total) remain the most common category, a pattern consistent with the month's social dynamics—dark evenings and holiday gatherings may increase opportunities for such crimes. Anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and other theft (9.8%) also dominate, suggesting a focus on minor disturbances and property-related incidents rather than more serious crimes. This distribution aligns with Hexham's identity as a built-up area within Northumberland, where the absence of large urban centres likely reduces exposure to violent crimes but does not eliminate them entirely. Seasonal factors, such as the Christmas shopping peak and party season, may partly explain the 150% increase in shoplifting and the surge in bicycle theft, which is 300% above the UK average—a figure that could reflect the town's proximity to cycling routes or student populations. Meanwhile, the 42% deficit in criminal damage and arson (0.3 per 1,000) compared to the UK average may be attributed to the area's rural context, where empty homes over holidays are less common than in densely populated regions. The data suggests a combination of local demographics, seasonal activity, and the physical environment, all of which shape the crime picture in ways that differ from larger cities or more industrialised areas.

December 2025 saw striking shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting increasing by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) and drugs-related offences doubling (from 0 to 1). These rises may partly explain the 300% surge in bicycle theft compared to the UK average, a category where Hexham's rate (0.2 per 1,000) far exceeds the national 0.1 per 1,000. Conversely, criminal damage and arson dropped 78.6% (from 14 to 3), likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during winter. The breakdown of crime types reveals a mixed profile: while violence and sexual offences (29.4% of total) remain the most prevalent, anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and other theft (9.8%) also dominate, suggesting a focus on interpersonal conflicts and minor property crimes. Vehicle crime increased by 100% (from 1 to 2), a trend that may concern local residents relying on cars for winter commuting. For context, Hexham's rate for violence and sexual offences (1.4 per 1,000) is 46% below the UK average, illustrating the area's generally lower exposure to severe crimes.

Hexham's crime rate in December 2025 fell by 26.1% compared to November's 6.6 per 1,000, reflecting a significant downward trend. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of December, where reduced foot traffic during holidays and colder evenings may limit opportunities for certain crimes. Locally, the monthly exposure figure—1 reported crime for every 204 residents—illustrates a relatively low risk environment, though this metric must be interpreted as a monthly aggregate rather than a daily rate. The daily crime count of approximately 2 incidents per day remains consistent with historical patterns for the area, suggesting that routine policing and community engagement efforts may be sustaining this level of activity. When scaled to Hexham's population of 10,393, the 4.9 per 1,000 rate underscores the town's position as a safer built-up area compared to the UK average, with the 30% deficit in overall crime likely reflecting its rural context and lower population density. This contrast with larger urban centres highlights the unique dynamics of small towns in Northumberland, where crime prevention strategies may benefit from closer community ties and fewer high-risk environments.