Crime in Hertsmere: statistics, rates and trends

9,789 crimes were recorded in Hertsmere in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,235 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Hertsmere has the 135th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hertsmere was highest in the year to July 2025 (10,713 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (9,786). Over the whole period it fell 6%, 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 Hertsmere 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 other theft, drugs.

The largest increases were in drugs (+30%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-48%) and bicycle theft (-38%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hertsmere

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hertsmere recorded 3,235 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hertsmere

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hertsmere recorded 1,901 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hertsmere

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hertsmere recorded 1,035 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hertsmere

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hertsmere recorded 603 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 12% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hertsmere

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hertsmere recorded 599 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hertsmere

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hertsmere recorded 548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hertsmere

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hertsmere recorded 530 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hertsmere

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hertsmere recorded 461 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hertsmere

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hertsmere recorded 427 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hertsmere

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hertsmere recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hertsmere

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hertsmere recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hertsmere

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hertsmere recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hertsmere

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hertsmere recorded 78 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 15% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hertsmere

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hertsmere recorded 28 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 38% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

23 areas within Hertsmere, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. South Mimms had the highest rate (417.9 per 1,000) and Bushey Heath the lowest (44.1). 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 Hertsmere over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hertsmere 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.

Hertsmere has an estimated population of 110,212. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hertsmere 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 Hertsmere. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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