Crime in Harpenden West: statistics, rates and trends
691 crimes were recorded in Harpenden West in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Harpenden West at a glance
- Crime trends in Harpenden West
- Types of crime in Harpenden West
- Harpenden West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Harpenden West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harpenden West
- Population and deprivation in Harpenden West
- Questions about crime in Harpenden West
- About this data
691 crimes were recorded in Harpenden West in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 148 reports (21% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Harpenden West has the 1,729th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harpenden West | St Albans | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 691 | 11,959 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.2 | 79.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 8,309 | 151,012 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harpenden West was highest in the year to July 2018 (882 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (604). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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 | 691 | 83.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 728 | 87.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 714 | 85.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 765 | 92.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 608 | 73.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 604 | 72.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 665 | 80.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 824 | 99.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 882 | 106.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 78 |
| June 2026 | 59 |
| May 2026 | 61 |
| April 2026 | 55 |
| March 2026 | 57 |
| February 2026 | 57 |
| January 2026 | 45 |
| December 2025 | 56 |
| November 2025 | 41 |
| October 2025 | 66 |
| September 2025 | 47 |
| August 2025 | 69 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harpenden West 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 shoplifting, other theft, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+23%) and vehicle crime (+19%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-30%) and burglary (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting | 148 | 17.8 | 2.15 | -30% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 141 | 17.0 | 1.11 | +11% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 112 | 13.5 | 0.39 | +23% |
| Other theft | 98 | 11.8 | 1.84 | +2% |
| Vehicle crime | 51 | 6.1 | 1.25 | +19% |
| Burglary | 34 | 4.1 | 1.16 | -28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 34 | 4.1 | 0.60 | -21% |
| Public order | 20 | 2.4 | 0.36 | -23% |
| Bicycle theft | 13 | 1.6 | 1.90 | +44% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.4 | 0.68 | +50% |
| Drugs | 10 | 1.2 | 0.37 | +150% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 1.0 | 0.57 | -11% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.7 | 0.53 | -40% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.5 | 0.50 | +0% |
Shoplifting in Harpenden West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harpenden West recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 21.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harpenden West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harpenden West recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 20.4% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Harpenden West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harpenden West recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 16.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harpenden West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harpenden West recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 14.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harpenden West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harpenden West recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harpenden West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harpenden West recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harpenden West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harpenden West recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harpenden West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harpenden West recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harpenden West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harpenden West recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harpenden West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harpenden West recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harpenden West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harpenden West recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harpenden West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harpenden West 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 down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Harpenden West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harpenden West recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harpenden West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harpenden West recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Harpenden West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harpenden West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harpenden West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harpenden East | 391 | 49.5 | -41% |
| Harpenden North & Rural | 255 | 32.3 | -61% |
| Harpenden South | 192 | 28.1 | -66% |
| Redbourn | 414 | 66.8 | -20% |
| Sandridge & Wheathampstead | 460 | 54.4 | -35% |
| Batchwood | 524 | 67.8 | -19% |
| Marshalswick West | 203 | 57.5 | -31% |
| Bernards Heath | 636 | 75.7 | -9% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Church Green Mews | 93 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 84 |
| On or near High Street | 82 |
| On or near Parking Area | 59 |
| On or near Vaughan Road | 42 |
| On or near Supermarket | 25 |
| On or near Leyton Green | 18 |
| On or near Poets Court | 14 |
| On or near Arcadian Court | 10 |
| On or near Hay Lane | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harpenden West 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 | 298 | 43.1% |
| Not recorded | 141 | 20.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 85 | 12.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 57 | 8.2% |
| Under investigation | 54 | 7.8% |
| Local resolution | 18 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 12 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 1.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.1% |
Harpenden West has an estimated population of 8,309. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harpenden West sits in decile 9.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harpenden West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.8% |
| Social rented homes | 4.9% |
| Private rented homes | 20.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.8 |
Is Harpenden West a safe place to live?
Harpenden West recorded 83.2 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 West?
Shoplifting was the most common category, with 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (141).
Is crime in Harpenden West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harpenden West was down 5% on the year before: 691 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 728 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harpenden West?
Harpenden West 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 West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.