Hungerford Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Hungerford, 5.7 crimes were recorded in October 2023 — a figure 28.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime for every 177 residents over the course of the month. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.2%) and criminal damage and arson (12.1%). These figures suggest a pattern where interpersonal conflicts and property damage dominate local crime trends, even as the area remains significantly safer than the national average. October's seasonal context — with clocks going back and Halloween approaching — may have influenced the crime profile. The relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average could reflect Hungerford's character as a small, historic market town with limited nightlife and commercial activity, factors that may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences raises questions about local social dynamics from the data alone.

October 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary increasing by 200% compared to September (1 to 3 incidents) and anti-social behaviour doubling (3 to 6). These rises contrast with a 50% drop in theft from the person (2 to 1) and a 40% decrease in public order offences (5 to 3). The shift in crime mix highlights a move towards property-related incidents, with burglary and criminal damage seeing notable increases. Hungerford's rate of violence and sexual offences (2.2 per 1,000) is 19% below the UK average, while burglary (0.5 per 1,000) is 47% above the national rate. This divergence suggests that while the town is safer in some categories, it faces challenges in others. For residents, the 200% rise in burglary may be a practical concern, as it indicates a sharp increase in targeted property crime. The data also shows that shoplifting rates in Hungerford are 48% below the UK average (0.3 vs 0.6 per 1,000), possibly reflecting the town's smaller retail footprint compared to larger urban centres.

Hungerford's crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 in October 2023 represents a 5.7% decline from September's 6.0 per 1,000, marking a slight but consistent trend of improvement. Over the course of the month, this rate translated to one reported crime for every 177 residents — a figure that contextualises the risk as relatively low compared to larger towns and cities. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day, a pace that is slower than the UK average when scaled to local population sizes. When considering the town's population of 5,844, the 33 reported crimes in October equate to a monthly exposure of 1-in-177 residents, a statistic that underscores the low frequency of criminal activity in this small community. This comparative perspective is particularly significant given that Hungerford's overall crime rate remains 28.7% below the UK average, suggesting that factors such as its compact size, historic character, and limited commercial density may contribute to its relatively safe environment. However, the 47% increase in burglary compared to the UK average highlights areas where local conditions may differ from national patterns, linked to the town's housing stock or security measures.