Haverhill Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Haverhill’s crime rate in October 2023 remained at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 25% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This performance positions the built-up area within West Suffolk as a relatively safe place compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 49.4% of all reported incidents—nearly half of the total. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with Haverhill’s significantly lower rates for property-related offences, such as burglary (1.9% of total crimes) and vehicle crime (1.9%), both of which are well below the UK average. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the clocks going back, and Halloween—may have influenced certain patterns. For instance, the 11% above-average rate for violence and sexual offences could be linked to increased social interactions during the month. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting both showed substantial gaps from the UK average, with the latter being 48% lower. These figures suggest that Haverhill’s crime profile is shaped by its character as a smaller, more tightly knit community, where violent crime remains a persistent challenge despite overall lower rates of property crime. The town’s performance in October 2023, while showing a slight monthly decline in the overall rate, underscores the need for targeted strategies to address violent crime without compromising the positive trends in other categories.

October 2023 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with three categories experiencing notable changes. Other crime surged by 200%, rising from two to six incidents, a jump that may reflect increased reporting or evolving criminal activity. Theft from the person also doubled, from zero to three cases, a spike that could be linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween or darker evenings. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 57.1%, dropping from seven to three incidents, due to reduced outdoor activity or heightened security measures. These fluctuations highlight a mixed picture: while violent crimes remain the dominant category—accounting for nearly 50% of all offences—Haverhill’s rates for anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are lower than the UK average. The town’s violence and sexual offences rate, at 3.0 per 1,000, is 11% above the UK figure, a contrast to its far below-average rates for property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. This suggests a combination of local demographics and crime drivers, with violent crime persisting as a key concern.

Haverhill’s crime rate in October 2023 fell by 11.1% compared to the previous month, dropping from 6.8 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the area’s ongoing trend of maintaining a crime rate 25% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly five crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity for residents. Over the course of October, one crime was reported for every 167 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. The population context further underscores that Haverhill’s crime profile remains significantly less intense than national averages, with property crimes and violent offences both showing marked disparities. These statistics suggest that local factors—such as community engagement, policing strategies, or the town’s socio-economic makeup—may contribute to the sustained lower crime levels compared to the UK as a whole.