Haverhill Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 26,675, Haverhill recorded 140 crimes in August 2024, translating to a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents—35.4% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure positions Haverhill firmly within the lower end of the national spectrum for crime, consistent with its status as a built-up area within West Suffolk. The area’s crime profile reveals a mix of violent and property offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents (66 out of 140). This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where such offences make up 2.7 per 1,000 residents, 7% lower than Haverhill’s rate. Seasonal factors may play a role in this pattern, as August is a peak holiday month, drawing increased foot traffic to local retail areas. The surge in shoplifting by 125% compared to July could be linked to this influx of visitors, although other factors such as local economic conditions or enforcement strategies may also contribute. Conversely, anti-social behaviour remains significantly lower than the UK average, with only 17 incidents reported—58% below the national rate. This suggests a potential effectiveness of community engagement efforts or a quieter built-up environment compared to other areas. The data also highlights a unique challenge in criminal damage and arson, which in Haverhill stood at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, 13% above the UK average. This disparity may reflect local environmental factors or differing enforcement priorities, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. Overall, the crime picture in Haverhill during August 2024 illustrates a combination of seasonal dynamics, local demographics, and the built-up character of the area, all of which shape the distribution and frequency of reported incidents. The relatively low rate of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000) may also reflect the area’s housing stock and security measures, particularly during school holidays when homes are often unoccupied. These patterns underscore the importance of contextualising crime data within the specific socioeconomic and geographic characteristics of the area.

August 2024 saw a striking surge in shoplifting, with incidents rising by 125% compared to July, from 4 to 9. This sharp increase may be linked to the month’s status as a peak holiday period, drawing more visitors to local retail areas. Meanwhile, possession of weapons and other crime both rose by 100%, though these remain relatively low in absolute terms. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 83.3%, likely influenced by the seasonal slowdown in nightlife and community events. Burglary also fell by two-thirds, potentially reflecting the reduced presence of residents during school holidays or increased home security measures. Haverhill’s violent crime rate (2.5 per 1,000) is 7% below the UK average, but criminal damage and arson (0.7 per 1,000) are 13% above, a contrast that highlights the area’s unique challenges. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, is 58% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect local community engagement efforts or the area’s character as a quieter built-up zone. The rise in shoplifting, despite a seasonal dip in other property crimes, underscores the need for targeted retail security measures during high-traffic periods.

Haverhill’s crime rate in August 2024 (5.3 per 1,000) marked a 10.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with a broader seasonal pattern, as August typically sees shifts in community activity and tourism. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 5 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When scaled to the population of 26,675, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 191 residents over the course of the month—a ratio that provides a tangible sense of the area’s safety relative to its size. This monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, which, while not directly comparable, underscores Haverhill’s position as a relatively low-crime built-up area. The reduction in public order offences (-83.3%) and burglary (-66.7%) may partly reflect the seasonal lull in activity, though the sharp rise in shoplifting (+125%) suggests other dynamics at play, such as increased foot traffic during the holiday period. The daily crime count, while low, remains a consistent metric for residents to gauge local security, particularly in a built-up area where community engagement and policing strategies may influence reporting patterns.