Crime in Birch: statistics, rates and trends
72 crimes were recorded in Birch in the 12 months to August 2026, 19.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 9% on the year before.
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (34), other theft (10) and criminal damage and arson (9) made up 74% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,906th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | Birch | Herefordshire, County of | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 72 | 11,739 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 19.8 | 61.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 3,640 | 191,047 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Birch peaked in the year to August 2021 (124 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2023 (72). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 26%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 72 | 19.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 79 | 21.7 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 89 | 24.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 72 | 19.8 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 104 | 28.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 124 | 34.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 105 | 28.8 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 100 | 27.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 97 | 26.6 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 12 |
| July 2026 | 4 |
| June 2026 | 6 |
| May 2026 | 6 |
| April 2026 | 3 |
| March 2026 | 4 |
| February 2026 | 6 |
| January 2026 | 8 |
| December 2025 | 5 |
| November 2025 | 4 |
| October 2025 | 6 |
| September 2025 | 8 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (73% below) was well below it.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 34 | 9.3 | 34.2 | +3% |
| Other theft | 10 | 2.7 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Criminal damage and arson | 9 | 2.5 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Anti-social behaviour | 4 | 1.1 | 15.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 4 | 1.1 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.8 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 3 | 0.8 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Burglary | 2 | 0.5 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 2 | 0.5 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 1 | 0.3 | 8.5 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Every one of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods has a higher crime rate than Birch.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Birch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llangarron | 101 | 29.8 | +51% |
| Wormside | 158 | 40.8 | +106% |
| Dinedor Hill | 198 | 49.7 | +152% |
| Newton Farm | 329 | 66.0 | +234% |
| Red Hill | 551 | 97.6 | +393% |
| Ross North | 316 | 59.4 | +201% |
| Saxon Gate | 167 | 48.8 | +147% |
| Belmont Rural | 202 | 60.6 | +206% |
The 10 locations below account for 83% of the crime recorded in Birch over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (15).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 15 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 10 |
| On or near Holly Bush Lane | 8 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 7 |
| On or near Old Rectory Gardens | 5 |
| On or near Tump Lane | 5 |
| On or near Mount Way | 3 |
| On or near Southwell Close | 3 |
| On or near Barrack Hill | 2 |
| On or near Gibraltar Lane | 2 |
The latest recorded outcomes for the 68 crimes in Birch with one. The 4 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 25 | 36.8% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 16 | 23.5% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 14 | 20.6% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 11.8% | 4.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 4.4% | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 1 | 1.5% | 3.1% |
Birch has an estimated population of 3,640 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (3.9%, against 17.1%), fewer households without a car (6.0%, against 23.3%) and an older population (30%, against 19%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Birch average decile 5.4 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Birch | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.1% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 56.1% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.7% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 30.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.4% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 42.1% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 12.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 6.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 78.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 3.9% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 17.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Birch a safe place to live?
Birch recorded 19.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,906th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Birch?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 34 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by other theft (10).
Is crime in Birch going up or down?
Recorded crime in Birch was down 9% on the year before: 72 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 79 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Birch?
About 3,640 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 30% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Birch?
Birch is policed by West Mercia.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.