Haverhill Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Haverhill's September 2024 crime profile reveals a combination of local trends and national averages, with the most unexpected development being the sharp rise in public order offences. Despite a 10.7% increase in the overall crime rate compared to August, the area's rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents remains 24.7% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 49.7% of all incidents, with 77 cases reported—11% above the UK average. This dominance of violent crime, however, contrasts with a marked decline in property-related offences, including a 55.6% drop in shoplifting and a 44.4% decrease in criminal damage and arson. The seasonal context of September, with back-to-school and university freshers' activities, may partly explain these patterns, as increased social interactions and gatherings in public spaces could contribute to a rise in disorderly conduct. Anti-social behaviour, at 14 incidents, was 57% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area's relatively stable community dynamics compared to more densely populated urban centres. The crime mix also shows a significant underrepresentation of drug-related offences, which were 25% below the UK average, suggesting a lower prevalence of substance-related crime in Haverhill. This divergence from national trends, particularly in anti-social behaviour and drug-related crimes, indicates that local factors—such as the built-up area's character within West Suffolk—play a critical role in shaping crime patterns. The overall crime rate, though slightly higher than the previous month, continues to highlight Haverhill's position as a relatively safe built-up area, with a crime profile that reflects both seasonal influences and the area's distinct demographic and geographic context.

The most striking shift in September 2024 was the 500% increase in public order offences, rising from two to 12 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 350% rise in drug-related crimes and a 125% increase in burglaries, highlights a significant imbalance in the crime mix. Violence and sexual offences, while remaining the most frequent category at 77 incidents, were 11% above the UK average, suggesting a localised concentration of violent crime that contrasts with the national trend. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime fell sharply—by 55.6% and 42.9% respectively—possibly reflecting seasonal changes as the area transitions from summer to autumn. Anti-social behaviour, at 14 incidents, was 57% below the UK average, indicating a stark contrast with national patterns. These fluctuations, particularly the dramatic rise in public order offences, may partly explain the overall 10.7% increase in the area's crime rate compared to August, despite the broader trend of remaining below the UK average.

Haverhill's September 2024 crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents marks a 10.7% increase from August's 5.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend in overall crime. This rise, though modest, is notable against the backdrop of a year-to-date average that remains 24.7% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly five crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity in a built-up area with a population of 26,675. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 172 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to national benchmarks. This statistic, when viewed alongside the population context, suggests that Haverhill's residents face a crime environment that is consistently less severe than the UK average, even as local fluctuations occur. The daily crime count, while seemingly high in absolute terms, is proportionally lower when scaled against the area's population, reinforcing the area's position as a comparatively safer built-up region within West Suffolk.