Hemsworth Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,535 residents, Hemsworth recorded 157 crimes in October 2023, translating to a crime rate of 16.5 per 1,000 people — 106.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark divergence highlights a unique local profile, where violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.9% of all crimes, shoplifting for 19.8%, and anti-social behaviour for 11.5%. The high proportion of violent crimes, at 6.1 per 1,000 (126% above the UK average), may be linked to Hemsworth's character as a built-up area within Wakefield, where concentrated populations and limited retail or leisure options could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween may have also played a role in the increase of certain offences. The shoplifting rate, 3.3 per 1,000 (469% above the UK average), suggests a significant challenge in retail zones, influenced by the town's commercial presence and the timing of October as a period of increased foot traffic. These figures provide a context for residents to understand the scale of crime relative to their daily lives, while also pointing to areas where targeted interventions might be necessary. The breakdown of crimes shows a clear emphasis on property-related offences, with 68 reported incidents — a figure that may reflect the density of residential areas and the potential for opportunistic theft. Violent crimes, though lower in absolute terms, remain high compared to national averages, indicating a need for community-focused strategies to address underlying social tensions. The overall picture underscores the importance of localised policing efforts and community engagement to address the specific challenges faced by Hemsworth.

October 2023 saw a dramatic 400% increase in drugs-related crimes, rising from one incident to five — the most substantial month-on-month jump in any category. Burglary and other theft also doubled, with eight and five incidents respectively, indicating a potential shift in criminal activity patterns. While shoplifting remained the second most common crime (19.8% of total), its rate was 469% above the UK average, a stark contrast to public order offences, which fell by 62.5% to six incidents. The sharp rise in drug-related crimes, combined with the doubling of burglary, suggests a combination of local factors, though seasonal transitions like darker evenings and Halloween may have played a role. These figures offer a clear snapshot of areas requiring attention, such as the need for increased vigilance in retail zones where shoplifting rates are high. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent issue, with 18 incidents reported — 48% above the UK average — a figure that may reflect the challenges of managing community spaces in a built-up area. The decline in public order offences, while welcome, does not fully offset the broader trend of rising property and violent crime.

Hemsworth's crime rate in October 2023 rose to 16.5 per 1,000 residents, marking an 18.1% increase from the previous month's 14.0 per 1,000. This shift reflects a growing concern for local residents, particularly as daily crime activity averaged five incidents per day over the 31-day period. When considering the population of 9,535, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 61 residents — a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small community. While the overall rate remains significantly higher than the UK average, the month-on-month increase suggests a potential intensification of local factors, such as seasonal patterns or community dynamics, that may be contributing to the upward trend. These figures, though stark, provide a concrete context for residents to understand the scale of crime relative to their daily lives. The built-up nature of Hemsworth within Wakefield, with its concentrated residential and commercial zones, likely amplifies the impact of localised issues, such as increased foot traffic in retail areas during October, which could be linked to the higher shoplifting rate. However, direct causation, and further analysis would be required to isolate specific contributing factors.