Crime in Harpenden East: statistics, rates and trends
391 crimes were recorded in Harpenden East in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Harpenden East at a glance
- Crime trends in Harpenden East
- Types of crime in Harpenden East
- Harpenden East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Harpenden East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harpenden East
- Population and deprivation in Harpenden East
- Questions about crime in Harpenden East
- About this data
391 crimes were recorded in Harpenden East in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 116 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Harpenden East has the 3,044th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harpenden East | St Albans | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 391 | 11,959 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 49.5 | 79.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,902 | 151,012 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harpenden East was highest in the year to July 2020 (471 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (316). 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 | 391 | 49.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 356 | 45.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 316 | 40.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 324 | 41.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 323 | 40.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 377 | 47.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 471 | 59.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 461 | 58.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 435 | 55.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 36 |
| May 2026 | 36 |
| April 2026 | 32 |
| March 2026 | 28 |
| February 2026 | 26 |
| January 2026 | 25 |
| December 2025 | 28 |
| November 2025 | 33 |
| October 2025 | 37 |
| September 2025 | 32 |
| August 2025 | 42 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harpenden East 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 other theft (+62%) and vehicle crime (+36%). The largest falls were in burglary (-33%) and criminal damage and arson (-12%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 116 | 14.7 | 0.43 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 81 | 10.3 | 0.67 | +21% |
| Vehicle crime | 49 | 6.2 | 1.26 | +36% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 38 | 4.8 | 0.71 | -12% |
| Other theft | 34 | 4.3 | 0.67 | +62% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.3 | 0.64 | -33% |
| Public order | 18 | 2.3 | 0.34 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 13 | 1.6 | 0.20 | +18% |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.1 | 0.35 | +80% |
| Other crime | 9 | 1.1 | 0.54 | +80% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.31 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 0.26 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.15 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Harpenden East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harpenden East recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 29.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harpenden East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harpenden East recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 20.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harpenden East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harpenden East recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harpenden East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harpenden East recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harpenden East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harpenden East recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harpenden East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harpenden East recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harpenden East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harpenden East recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harpenden East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harpenden East recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harpenden East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harpenden East recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harpenden East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harpenden East recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harpenden East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harpenden East recorded 2 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 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harpenden East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harpenden East recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harpenden East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harpenden East recorded 2 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 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Harpenden East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harpenden East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harpenden East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harpenden West | 691 | 83.2 | +68% |
| Harpenden North & Rural | 255 | 32.3 | -35% |
| Harpenden South | 192 | 28.1 | -43% |
| Sandridge & Wheathampstead | 460 | 54.4 | +10% |
| Redbourn | 414 | 66.8 | +35% |
| Marshalswick West | 203 | 57.5 | +16% |
| Batchwood | 524 | 67.8 | +37% |
| Marshalswick East & Jersey Farm | 444 | 47.4 | -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 Harpenden East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Hill Close | 26 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Parking Area | 25 |
| On or near Willow Way | 24 |
| On or near Whitings Close | 18 |
| On or near Pickford Hill | 17 |
| On or near Hilltop Walk | 15 |
| On or near Roundfield Avenue | 14 |
| On or near Supermarket | 13 |
| On or near Fulmore Close | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harpenden East 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 | 157 | 40.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 93 | 23.8% |
| Not recorded | 81 | 20.7% |
| Under investigation | 21 | 5.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 15 | 3.8% |
| Local resolution | 11 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 7 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Harpenden East has an estimated population of 7,902. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harpenden East sits in decile 9.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harpenden East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.1% |
| Social rented homes | 15.5% |
| Private rented homes | 12.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.0 |
Is Harpenden East a safe place to live?
Harpenden East recorded 49.5 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 Harpenden East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (81).
Is crime in Harpenden East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harpenden East was up 10% on the year before: 391 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 356 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harpenden East?
Harpenden East 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 Harpenden East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.