Crime in North Hertfordshire: statistics, rates and trends

9,015 crimes were recorded in North Hertfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,198 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, North Hertfordshire has the 237th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in North Hertfordshire was highest in the year to July 2019 (10,611 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (8,814). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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 North 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 (+37%) and possession of weapons (+20%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-31%) and shoplifting (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in North Hertfordshire

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. North Hertfordshire recorded 3,198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 35.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in North Hertfordshire

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. North Hertfordshire recorded 2,079 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in North Hertfordshire

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. North Hertfordshire recorded 673 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in North Hertfordshire

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. North Hertfordshire recorded 626 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in North Hertfordshire

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. North Hertfordshire recorded 518 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in North Hertfordshire

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. North Hertfordshire recorded 445 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in North Hertfordshire

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. North Hertfordshire recorded 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in North Hertfordshire

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. North Hertfordshire recorded 366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in North Hertfordshire

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. North Hertfordshire recorded 256 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in North Hertfordshire

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. North Hertfordshire recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in North Hertfordshire

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. North Hertfordshire recorded 91 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 20% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in North Hertfordshire

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. North Hertfordshire recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in North Hertfordshire

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. North Hertfordshire recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in North Hertfordshire

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. North Hertfordshire recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

39 areas within North Hertfordshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hitchin Priory had the highest rate (111.9 per 1,000) and Baldock East the lowest (29.7). 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 North Hertfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in North 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.

North Hertfordshire has an estimated population of 137,201. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in North Hertfordshire sits in decile 7.6, 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 North Hertfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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