Crime in Harlow district: statistics, rates and trends
10,663 crimes were recorded in Harlow district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Harlow district at a glance
- Crime trends in Harlow district
- Types of crime in Harlow district
- Harlow district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Harlow district
- Streets with the most crime in Harlow district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harlow district
- Population and deprivation in Harlow district
- Questions about crime in Harlow district
- About this data
10,663 crimes were recorded in Harlow district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,277 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Harlow district has the 78th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harlow district | Essex | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 10,663 | 124,662 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 108.5 | 79.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 98,235 | 1,563,365 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harlow district was highest in the year to July 2021 (13,760 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (10,177). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 10,663 | 108.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 10,177 | 103.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 10,917 | 111.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 12,000 | 122.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 13,156 | 133.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 13,760 | 140.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 13,586 | 138.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 13,116 | 133.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 11,911 | 121.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,139 |
| June 2026 | 1,079 |
| May 2026 | 984 |
| April 2026 | 873 |
| March 2026 | 886 |
| February 2026 | 856 |
| January 2026 | 827 |
| December 2025 | 756 |
| November 2025 | 860 |
| October 2025 | 761 |
| September 2025 | 820 |
| August 2025 | 822 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harlow district 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 violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+69%) and burglary (+37%). The largest falls were in other crime (-23%) and theft from the person (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,277 | 43.5 | 1.27 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,104 | 11.2 | 0.73 | +29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 847 | 8.6 | 1.27 | +4% |
| Public order | 807 | 8.2 | 1.24 | -7% |
| Shoplifting | 729 | 7.4 | 0.90 | -12% |
| Other theft | 667 | 6.8 | 1.06 | +10% |
| Vehicle crime | 622 | 6.3 | 1.29 | -13% |
| Drugs | 551 | 5.6 | 1.72 | -5% |
| Burglary | 336 | 3.4 | 0.97 | +37% |
| Other crime | 204 | 2.1 | 0.98 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 160 | 1.6 | 1.68 | +32% |
| Bicycle theft | 154 | 1.6 | 1.90 | +69% |
| Robbery | 123 | 1.3 | 0.93 | +28% |
| Theft from the person | 82 | 0.8 | 0.49 | -15% |
Violence and sexual offences in Harlow district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harlow district recorded 4,277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 40.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harlow district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harlow district recorded 1,104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harlow district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harlow district recorded 847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harlow district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harlow district recorded 807 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harlow district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harlow district recorded 729 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harlow district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harlow district recorded 667 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 up 10% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harlow district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harlow district recorded 622 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harlow district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harlow district recorded 551 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harlow district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harlow district recorded 336 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harlow district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harlow district recorded 204 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 down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harlow district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harlow district recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harlow district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harlow district recorded 154 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 69% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Harlow district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harlow district recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harlow district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harlow district recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Harlow district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harlow district.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harlow district |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epping Forest | 10,436 | 75.9 | -30% |
| East Hertfordshire | 10,684 | 68.1 | -37% |
| Broxbourne | 9,560 | 93.8 | -14% |
| Enfield | 36,957 | 112.9 | +4% |
| Brentwood | 5,874 | 74.0 | -32% |
| Redbridge | 30,687 | 95.5 | -12% |
| Waltham Forest | 29,474 | 105.4 | -3% |
| Uttlesford | 5,789 | 60.9 | -44% |
12 areas within Harlow district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Little Parndon & Town Centre had the highest rate (254.4 per 1,000) and Church Langley North & Newhall the lowest (44.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Parndon & Town Centre | Neighbourhood | 8,454 | 2,151 | 254.4 |
| Mark Hall | Neighbourhood | 8,191 | 1,483 | 181.1 |
| Passmores | Neighbourhood | 9,984 | 1,252 | 125.4 |
| Netteswell | Neighbourhood | 8,944 | 997 | 111.5 |
| Harlow | Town | 95,879 | 10,320 | 107.6 |
| Bush Fair | Neighbourhood | 9,887 | 1,000 | 101.1 |
| Latton Bush & Stewards | Neighbourhood | 9,564 | 957 | 100.1 |
| Sumners & Kingsmoor | Neighbourhood | 9,213 | 809 | 87.8 |
| Great Parndon | Neighbourhood | 6,843 | 460 | 67.2 |
| Old Harlow | Neighbourhood | 9,804 | 612 | 62.4 |
| Church Langley South & Potter Street | Neighbourhood | 12,063 | 707 | 58.6 |
| Church Langley North & Newhall | Neighbourhood | 5,288 | 235 | 44.4 |
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 Harlow district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 650 |
| On or near Parking Area | 470 |
| On or near Hospital | 284 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 279 |
| On or near Police Station | 252 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 190 |
| On or near North Gate | 174 |
| On or near Milwards | 119 |
| On or near Glebelands | 112 |
| On or near East Gate | 99 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harlow district 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 3,187 | 29.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 3,096 | 29.0% |
| Not recorded | 1,104 | 10.4% |
| Under investigation | 909 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 707 | 6.6% |
| Local resolution | 389 | 3.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 346 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 336 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 262 | 2.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 184 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 103 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 36 | 0.3% |
Harlow district has an estimated population of 98,235. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harlow district sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harlow district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 55.0% |
| Social rented homes | 29.3% |
| Private rented homes | 15.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 1.2% |
Is Harlow district a safe place to live?
Harlow district recorded 108.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Harlow district?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,277 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,104).
Is crime in Harlow district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harlow district was up 5% on the year before: 10,663 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 10,177 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harlow district?
Harlow district is policed by Essex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Harlow district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.