Crime in Dacorum: statistics, rates and trends

13,646 crimes were recorded in Dacorum in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,553 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Dacorum has the 163rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Dacorum was highest in the year to July 2019 (15,184 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (12,465). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 Dacorum 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 anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in drugs (+74%) and possession of weapons (+41%). The largest falls were in robbery (-38%) and burglary (-28%).

Violence and sexual offences in Dacorum

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dacorum recorded 4,553 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 33.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Dacorum

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dacorum recorded 3,257 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 23.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Dacorum

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dacorum recorded 1,053 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Dacorum

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dacorum recorded 976 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Dacorum

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dacorum recorded 901 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Dacorum

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dacorum recorded 756 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 23% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Dacorum

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dacorum recorded 628 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Dacorum

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dacorum recorded 466 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 28% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Dacorum

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dacorum recorded 409 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 74% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Dacorum

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dacorum recorded 275 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Dacorum

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dacorum recorded 111 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 41% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Dacorum

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dacorum recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Dacorum

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dacorum recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Dacorum

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dacorum recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

36 areas within Dacorum, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hemel Hempstead Town had the highest rate (194.3 per 1,000) and Potten End the lowest (28.1). 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 Dacorum over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dacorum 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.

Dacorum has an estimated population of 161,420. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dacorum sits in decile 6.8, 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 Dacorum. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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