Hemsworth Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Hemsworth's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a stark divergence from the UK average, with a rate of 14.5 per 1,000 residents—113.2% above the national figure of 6.8. This discrepancy, while not uncommon for built-up areas within larger urban centres, raises questions about the specific factors contributing to such a pronounced gap. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 47.8% of all reported incidents, far exceeding the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This concentration of violent crime may partly reflect Hemsworth's status as a historically deprived area within Wakefield, where socio-economic challenges and limited access to services can contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 17.4% of all crimes, a figure 169% above the UK average. This suggests a persistent issue with community disorder that may be exacerbated by the area's seasonal context—shorter days and reduced retail footfall during January could lead to increased congregation in public spaces, fueling anti-social activity. The seasonal context of January, typically marked by a post-holiday lull in retail activity, may have inadvertently created conditions conducive to certain types of crime. While shoplifting and other property crimes remained relatively low compared to the UK average, the disproportionate emphasis on violent and anti-social crimes indicates a unique challenge for local authorities. This pattern is consistent with other post-industrial towns where community cohesion and economic opportunity are limited, leading to higher rates of violent and disorderly conduct. The data also shows a significant disparity in crime types compared to the UK average, with categories like robbery and anti-social behaviour far exceeding national norms, while theft from the person and vehicle crime fall below. This mix may reflect Hemsworth's specific demographic profile, where transient populations or social housing communities could contribute to certain crime trends. The month's context—shorter days and post-holiday economic patterns—may have created conditions that amplify existing vulnerabilities, though the exact causal links remain complex.

January 2026 saw a dramatic surge in robbery incidents, with a 300% increase from the previous month (1 to 4 cases). This spike, coupled with a 166.7% rise in anti-social behaviour (9 to 24 cases), highlights a concerning shift in crime patterns that may partly explain the area's elevated violence rates. While violent crimes such as violence and sexual offences accounted for 47.8% of all reported incidents, property crimes remained relatively low at 23.2%, a contrast to the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. Theft from the person doubled from zero to one incident, a stark anomaly that could indicate targeted criminal activity or improved reporting mechanisms. Conversely, decreases in drugs-related crimes (-60%) and vehicle crime (-50%) suggest potential success in specific areas of policing or community engagement. These mixed trends underscore the complexity of Hemsworth's crime profile, where some categories align with national patterns while others deviate significantly.

Hemsworth's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 14.5 per 1,000 residents, a 39.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 10.4. This places the area starkly above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, with an 113.2% gap that underscores a persistent challenge in local crime management. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported each day in January, reflecting a consistent presence of criminal activity despite the post-holiday lull typically associated with this time of year. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 69 residents, a figure that highlights the frequency of incidents within a relatively small population of 9,535. This monthly exposure rate, when compared to the previous month's equivalent, suggests a growing pressure on local resources and community safety initiatives. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Hemsworth's residents face a significantly higher risk of encountering crime than the national average, necessitating targeted interventions to address the underlying factors driving these rates.