Hemsworth Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked a complex month for Hemsworth’s crime profile, with a crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 52.1% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 36.4% decrease from November’s 17.0 per 1,000, still underscores Hemsworth’s position as a built-up area within Wakefield with consistently higher crime rates than the national average. The most prominent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 46.6% of all incidents, a rate of 5.0 per 1,000 that is 95% above the UK average. This dominance of violent crime may reflect local dynamics, such as the area’s demographic profile or the influence of seasonal factors like increased social interactions during the festive period. Vehicle crime, at 1.2 per 1,000, was also significantly elevated, 200% above the UK average, possibly linked to Hemsworth’s infrastructure, which may include a mix of residential and commercial zones where vehicles are more vulnerable. Anti-social behaviour, while down from November, still accounted for 6.8% of crimes, and its UK average comparison of 26% below suggests a relative success in addressing this category. Seasonal context plays a critical role, as December’s dark evenings, Christmas shopping peak, and party season likely influence both the frequency and nature of crimes. For example, the drop in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage may partly reflect reduced public gatherings during the holidays, while the surge in vehicle crime could be tied to increased traffic or fewer patrols. These patterns illustrate the interplay between local characteristics and broader seasonal trends, shaping Hemsworth’s crime profile in ways that demand targeted responses from authorities and residents alike.

December 2024 saw a stark shift in crime patterns, with vehicle crime surging by 120% from five to 11 incidents. This increase may reflect seasonal factors, such as higher vehicle usage during festive shopping or more vehicles left unattended in public spaces. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson each fell by over 60%, likely tied to holiday-related disruptions in usual patterns of activity or enforcement efforts. Violence and sexual offences, which made up 46.6% of all crimes, remained 95% above the UK average, a figure that highlights ongoing challenges in addressing violent crime in the area. A resident would find the 120% rise in vehicle crime particularly concerning, as it suggests a growing vulnerability in this category. Other crime also increased by 50%, from two to three incidents, though the small sample size means this change should be interpreted cautiously. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour’s drop from 29 to seven cases in December may indicate temporary factors, such as reduced public gatherings during the Christmas period.

Hemsworth’s crime rate in December 2024 stood at 10.8 per 1,000 residents, a 36.4% decline from the previous month’s 17.0 per 1,000. This reduction, though notable, still leaves the area 52.1% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly three crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while lower than November, remains a concern for residents. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for every 93 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the persistent presence of crime in the community. This rate, when contextualised against Hemsworth’s population of 9,535, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. While the drop from November suggests potential seasonal influences—such as fewer holiday-related incidents or reduced foot traffic in certain areas—the area’s overall rate remains significantly higher than the national average. This contrast with the UK figure may reflect local factors, such as Hemsworth’s built-up character within Wakefield, where population density and socioeconomic dynamics could contribute to higher crime rates.