Amherst Crime Rate Among Lowest In NH

Statistically, New Hampshire consistently ranks among the safest states in the United States.

According to those same statistics, detailed in a 2011 report by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy, Amherst's violent crime rate is one of the lowest amongst Granite State cities and towns with populations of 10,000 or more.

Amherst is beaten only by Bedford, Goffstown and Merrimack for the lowest crime rate.

From 2005 through 2008, New Hampshire ranked either 49th or 50th in the United States in crime data that includes the District of Columbia.

In fact, the Granite State placed dead last in terms of murders in 2006 and 2007 and 50th in 2008. The only crime statistic that New Hampshire ranked among the bottom 30 was forcible rape (NH was 30th in 2008 and 29th in 2005, though 40th in both 2006 and 2007).

Manchester has the highest violent crime rate, but it still remains under the national average.

In 2010, the most recent year detailed in the report (which compiles crime data dating back to 1985), New Hampshire saw:

• One murder or non-negligent manslaughter every 28 days
• One forcible rape every 21 hours
• One robbery every 19 hours
• One aggravated assault every 7 hours
• One burglary every 1 hour and 36 minutes
• One larceny-theft every 23 minutes
• One motor vehicle theft every 9 hours.

According to those same statistics, Amherst saw 7 violent crimes that entire year, down from 11 in 2009, but up from 3 in 2008. The most violent crimes reported in a year was 27 incidents in 1990.

In terms of total reported crimes in 2010, Amherst Police reported:

• 1 murder and non negligent manslaughter
• 1 robbery
• 5 aggravated assaults
• 30 burglaries
• 4 motor vehicle thefts
• 182 incidents of property crime
• 148 incidents of larceny theft