Crime in Hereford: statistics, rates and trends

5,582 crimes were recorded in Hereford in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,270 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hereford has the 459th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hereford was highest in the year to July 2018 (8,369 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,582). Over the whole period it fell 33%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hereford over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+48%) and other theft (+14%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-22%) and public order (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hereford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hereford recorded 2,270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 40.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hereford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hereford recorded 782 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hereford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hereford recorded 671 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hereford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hereford recorded 448 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hereford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hereford recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hereford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hereford recorded 315 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hereford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hereford recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hereford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hereford recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hereford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hereford recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hereford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hereford recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hereford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hereford recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hereford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hereford recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hereford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hereford recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hereford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hereford recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Hereford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hereford.

17 areas within Hereford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (526.4 per 1,000) and Tupsley the lowest (29.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Hereford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hereford over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Hereford has an estimated population of 60,834. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hereford sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Hereford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.