Haverhill Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Haverhill's overall crime rate in January 2024 stood at 5.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing it 24.3% below the UK average of 7.4. This figure reflects a continuation of the area's historically lower crime levels compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.2% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (10.1%) and public order offences (8.1%). These patterns align with Haverhill's character as a relatively small built-up area within West Suffolk, where community-focused policing and limited nightlife may contribute to lower rates of violent crime. Seasonal factors also played a role, with January's shorter days and post-holiday retail lull likely reducing opportunities for shoplifting and other theft-related crimes. However, the persistent presence of property crimes—though still below UK averages—suggests ongoing vulnerabilities in areas with commercial or residential activity. The breakdown also reveals notable discrepancies from national trends, such as anti-social behaviour rates being 49% below the UK average, potentially reflecting local initiatives or demographic factors. While the overall rate remains stable, the interplay between seasonal rhythms and local conditions continues to shape the area's crime profile.

The most dramatic month-on-month change was a 200% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 2 to 6 incidents. This surge contrasts sharply with the 60% below UK average rate for vehicle crime in Haverhill, indicating a localised spike that may relate to seasonal factors such as reduced traffic enforcement or colder weather affecting vehicle security. Concurrently, robbery and possession of weapons both doubled from zero to 4 incidents, marking a significant shift in crime dynamics. These increases may be linked to broader societal trends or specific events. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 47.8% (from 23 to 12), reflecting the impact of winter holidays reducing public gatherings. The data also reveals Haverhill's crime mix differs from the UK average: violence and sexual offences are 8% below the UK rate, while criminal damage and arson are 5% above. Anti-social behaviour rates are 49% below the UK average, a figure that could be attributed to local community engagement strategies or demographic characteristics. For residents, the sharp rise in vehicle crime highlights the need for heightened vigilance in parking areas, a specific data point that directly informs personal safety measures.

Haverhill's January 2024 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 7.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.0, indicating a modest but measurable decline. This reduction, when contextualised, translates to roughly 5 crimes per day on average—a figure that, while non-zero, remains lower than many comparable UK areas. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 180 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Haverhill among the safer built-up areas in the country. With a population of 26,675, this statistic underscores the relatively low frequency of crime relative to the size of the community. The comparison to the UK average further highlights Haverhill's distinct position: while violent crime rates are slightly below national levels, property crimes remain significantly underrepresented, particularly in categories like vehicle crime (60% below UK average) and bicycle theft (100% below). This suggests that local factors—such as car ownership patterns, policing focus, or community characteristics—play a crucial role in shaping the area's crime profile. The interplay between these statistics and Haverhill's built-up nature within West Suffolk indicates that the area's crime trends are influenced by both its geographic isolation from major urban centres and its relatively small-scale commercial activity.