Hungerford Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Hungerford’s crime profile in July 2023, accounting for 50% of the 34 recorded crimes. This category alone stood at 2.9 per 1,000 residents, just 4% above the UK average for similar offences. The area’s overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents marked a 30.1% deficit compared to the UK’s 8.3 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects both local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. With schools out and tourism at its peak during the summer, Hungerford’s small town centre likely saw heightened foot traffic and social interactions, factors that may contribute to the elevated proportion of violent crimes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour incidents fell to 0.7 per 1,000 residents — 51% below the UK average — suggesting that the area’s close-knit community and local policing efforts may temper disruptive behaviour. Property crimes, at 7 total, represented only 20.6% of the total, well below the UK average for theft and burglary combined. This contrast with the UK’s higher property crime prevalence could stem from Hungerford’s compact built-up area, where informal surveillance and limited commercial premises reduce opportunities for such offences. The seasonal context of July — marked by festivals, open-air events, and extended daylight — likely amplified interactions in public spaces, explaining the higher share of violent and public order crimes compared to property-related incidents. However, the absence of a sharp spike in overall crime during this period suggests that Hungerford’s relatively low crime rate persists despite the summer’s usual pressures.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 300% surge in shoplifting, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This jump, while small in absolute terms, highlights shifting patterns in retail crime, possibly linked to increased foot traffic during summer festivals. Simultaneously, possession of weapons — a rare category — doubled from 0 to 1 incident. Public order offences declined sharply by 44.4%, dropping from 9 to 5, potentially reflecting reduced alcohol-fuelled disturbances during quieter summer evenings. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 42.9%, from 7 to 4, a trend consistent with the area’s lower-than-average UK levels for this category. Violence and sexual offences remained high compared to the UK average, with their 2.9 per 1,000 rate just 4% above the UK’s 2.8 per 1,000. This suggests that while Hungerford’s overall crime rate is low, targeted interventions may be needed to address the elevated share of violent crime, which could be tied to the town’s role as a regional hub for summer events and transient populations.

Hungerford’s July 2023 crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents marked a 24.4% decrease from the previous month’s 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. Translating this to daily context, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in July — a figure that, while seemingly high, is distributed across its 5,844 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 172 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this small built-up area. When compared to the UK’s overall average, Hungerford’s crime rate remains 30.1% below, a gap that highlights the area’s unique characteristics. The town’s compact size, limited commercial zones, and strong community networks likely contribute to this disparity, creating an environment where informal social controls and local policing efforts can mitigate crime more effectively than in larger, more dispersed urban areas. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, where Hungerford’s rates are significantly below the UK average, suggesting that the area’s social cohesion and environmental factors play a crucial role in maintaining lower levels of disorderly conduct.