Crime in Bernards Heath: statistics, rates and trends
636 crimes were recorded in Bernards Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 17% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bernards Heath at a glance
- Crime trends in Bernards Heath
- Types of crime in Bernards Heath
- Bernards Heath compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bernards Heath
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bernards Heath
- Population and deprivation in Bernards Heath
- Questions about crime in Bernards Heath
- About this data
636 crimes were recorded in Bernards Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 17% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 223 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bernards Heath has the 1,997th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bernards Heath | St Albans | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 636 | 11,959 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 75.7 | 79.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +17% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 8,399 | 151,012 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bernards Heath was highest in the year to July 2019 (697 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (524). Over the whole period it rose 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 636 | 75.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 545 | 64.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 554 | 66.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 662 | 78.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 526 | 62.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 524 | 62.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 639 | 76.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 697 | 83.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 600 | 71.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 57 |
| June 2026 | 49 |
| May 2026 | 70 |
| April 2026 | 43 |
| March 2026 | 37 |
| February 2026 | 50 |
| January 2026 | 43 |
| December 2025 | 67 |
| November 2025 | 61 |
| October 2025 | 41 |
| September 2025 | 46 |
| August 2025 | 72 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bernards Heath 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 vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+100%) and drugs (+55%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-10%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 223 | 26.6 | 0.78 | +16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 113 | 13.5 | 0.88 | -10% |
| Vehicle crime | 56 | 6.7 | 1.35 | +12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 54 | 6.4 | 0.95 | +100% |
| Other theft | 54 | 6.4 | 1.01 | +32% |
| Public order | 32 | 3.8 | 0.57 | +28% |
| Drugs | 31 | 3.7 | 1.13 | +55% |
| Burglary | 22 | 2.6 | 0.74 | +0% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.7 | 0.79 | +250% |
| Shoplifting | 10 | 1.2 | 0.14 | +11% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 1.0 | 0.56 | +14% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.8 | 1.01 | -30% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.8 | 0.86 | +75% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.6 | 0.44 | -29% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bernards Heath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bernards Heath recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 35.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bernards Heath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bernards Heath recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 17.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bernards Heath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bernards Heath recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bernards Heath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bernards Heath recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bernards Heath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bernards Heath recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bernards Heath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bernards Heath recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bernards Heath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bernards Heath recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bernards Heath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bernards Heath recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bernards Heath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bernards Heath recorded 14 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 up 250% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bernards Heath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bernards Heath recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bernards Heath
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bernards Heath recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bernards Heath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bernards Heath recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bernards Heath
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bernards Heath recorded 7 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 up 75% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bernards Heath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bernards Heath recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bernards Heath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bernards Heath.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bernards Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshalswick West | 203 | 57.5 | -24% |
| Batchwood | 524 | 67.8 | -11% |
| St Peters | 1,690 | 181.0 | +139% |
| Clarence | 442 | 54.7 | -28% |
| Marshalswick East & Jersey Farm | 444 | 47.4 | -37% |
| Cunningham | 917 | 105.8 | +40% |
| Hill End | 403 | 61.4 | -19% |
| Sopwell | 912 | 116.4 | +54% |
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 Bernards Heath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Stonecross Close | 74 |
| On or near A1081 | 57 |
| On or near St Peter'S Street | 55 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 46 |
| On or near St Peter'S Road | 31 |
| On or near Newsom Place | 30 |
| On or near Warwick Road | 23 |
| On or near Canberra Close | 18 |
| On or near Oak Tree Gardens | 16 |
| On or near Watson Avenue | 15 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bernards Heath 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 225 | 35.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 167 | 26.3% |
| Not recorded | 113 | 17.8% |
| Under investigation | 57 | 9.0% |
| Local resolution | 25 | 3.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 1.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Bernards Heath has an estimated population of 8,399. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bernards Heath sits in decile 9.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bernards Heath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.2% |
| Social rented homes | 10.9% |
| Private rented homes | 24.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.1 |
Is Bernards Heath a safe place to live?
Bernards Heath recorded 75.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than 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 Bernards Heath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (113).
Is crime in Bernards Heath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bernards Heath was up 17% on the year before: 636 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 545 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bernards Heath?
Bernards Heath is policed by Hertfordshire. 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 Bernards Heath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.