Crime in Harpenden North & Rural: statistics, rates and trends

255 crimes were recorded in Harpenden North & Rural in the 12 months to July 2026, 32.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 81 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Harpenden North & Rural has the 3,708th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Harpenden North & Rural was highest in the year to July 2019 (340 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (241). Over the whole period it fell 21%, 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 Harpenden North & Rural 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 violence and sexual offences (+42%) and criminal damage and arson (+35%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Harpenden North & Rural

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Harpenden North & Rural

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 25.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Harpenden North & Rural

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Harpenden North & Rural

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Harpenden North & Rural

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Harpenden North & Rural

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Harpenden North & Rural

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Harpenden North & Rural

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Harpenden North & Rural

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 3 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 40% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Harpenden North & Rural

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Harpenden North & Rural

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harpenden North & Rural 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Harpenden North & Rural

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Harpenden North & Rural

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Harpenden North & Rural

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harpenden North & Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

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 North & Rural over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harpenden North & Rural 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.

Harpenden North & Rural has an estimated population of 7,888. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harpenden North & Rural sits in decile 9.7, 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 Harpenden North & Rural. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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