Crime in Watford: statistics, rates and trends

11,830 crimes were recorded in Watford in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,008 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Watford has the 71st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Watford was highest in the year to July 2018 (12,927 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (10,094). 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 Watford 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, other theft, drugs.

The largest increases were in drugs (+80%) and violence and sexual offences (+12%). The largest falls were in burglary (-18%) and vehicle crime (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Watford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Watford recorded 4,008 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Watford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Watford recorded 2,325 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 19.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Watford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Watford recorded 990 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Watford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Watford recorded 890 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Watford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Watford recorded 738 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Watford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Watford recorded 704 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Watford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Watford recorded 609 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Watford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Watford recorded 475 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Watford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Watford recorded 288 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 down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Watford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Watford recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Watford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Watford recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Watford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Watford recorded 179 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 2% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Watford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Watford recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Watford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Watford recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Watford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (318.6 per 1,000) and Nascot the lowest (45.8). 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 Watford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Watford 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.

Watford has an estimated population of 107,171. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Watford sits in decile 6.1, close to the middle. 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 Watford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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