Crime in Hertfordshire: statistics, rates and trends

105,683 crimes were recorded in Hertfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 85.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 35,924 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Hertfordshire has the 5th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hertfordshire was highest in the year to July 2019 (113,145 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (98,834). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 Hertfordshire 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. The largest increases were in drugs (+61%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-13%) and shoplifting (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hertfordshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hertfordshire recorded 35,924 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 34.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hertfordshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hertfordshire recorded 21,811 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hertfordshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hertfordshire recorded 8,413 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hertfordshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hertfordshire recorded 8,409 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hertfordshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hertfordshire recorded 6,797 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hertfordshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hertfordshire recorded 5,859 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hertfordshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hertfordshire recorded 5,589 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hertfordshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hertfordshire recorded 3,695 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hertfordshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hertfordshire recorded 3,586 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hertfordshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hertfordshire recorded 1,988 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hertfordshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hertfordshire recorded 980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hertfordshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hertfordshire recorded 892 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hertfordshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hertfordshire recorded 874 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hertfordshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hertfordshire recorded 866 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

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

10 areas within Hertfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Stevenage had the highest rate (117.4 per 1,000) and North Hertfordshire the lowest (65.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hertfordshire 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.

Hertfordshire has an estimated population of 1,236,191. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hertfordshire sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. 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 Hertfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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