Crime in Hemel Hempstead Town: statistics, rates and trends
1,468 crimes were recorded in Hemel Hempstead Town in the 12 months to August 2026, 195.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Hemel Hempstead Town at a glance
- Crime trends in Hemel Hempstead Town
- Types of crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
- Hemel Hempstead Town compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
- What happened after crimes were reported in Hemel Hempstead Town
- Demographics of Hemel Hempstead Town
- Questions about crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (446), anti-social behaviour (386) and shoplifting (151) made up 67% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 207th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest tenth.
| Measure | Hemel Hempstead Town | Dacorum | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,468 | 13,768 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 195.6 | 85.3 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 7,504 | 161,420 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the most recorded crime in Hemel Hempstead Town of any year here (1,468 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 49%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,468 | 195.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,393 | 185.6 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,274 | 169.8 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,065 | 141.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 903 | 120.3 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 890 | 118.6 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 858 | 114.3 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,134 | 151.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 982 | 130.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 136 |
| July 2026 | 131 |
| June 2026 | 140 |
| May 2026 | 117 |
| April 2026 | 154 |
| March 2026 | 133 |
| February 2026 | 110 |
| January 2026 | 94 |
| December 2025 | 96 |
| November 2025 | 140 |
| October 2025 | 113 |
| September 2025 | 104 |
Compared with England and Wales, Hemel Hempstead Town recorded notably more anti-social behaviour (3.3 times the national rate), possession of weapons (2.8 times the national rate) and shoplifting (2.4 times the national rate). On the year before, other theft rose from 56 to 87 and drugs rose from 43 to 58, while burglary fell from 57 to 32.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 446 | 59.4 | 34.2 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 386 | 51.4 | 15.4 | +5% |
| Shoplifting | 151 | 20.1 | 8.5 | +17% |
| Other theft | 87 | 11.6 | 6.4 | +55% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 82 | 10.9 | 6.7 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 77 | 10.3 | 5.0 | +31% |
| Public order | 76 | 10.1 | 6.7 | -6% |
| Drugs | 58 | 7.7 | 3.3 | +35% |
| Burglary | 32 | 4.3 | 3.6 | -44% |
| Possession of weapons | 20 | 2.7 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Other crime | 18 | 2.4 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 14 | 1.9 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Robbery | 13 | 1.7 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Hemel Hempstead Town has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hemel Hempstead Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adeyfield West | 403 | 72.5 | -63% |
| Highfield | 701 | 98.7 | -50% |
| Boxmoor | 1,312 | 145.6 | -26% |
| Gadebridge | 456 | 81.7 | -58% |
| Adeyfield East | 1,300 | 153.4 | -22% |
| Apsley and Corner Hall | 1,221 | 108.7 | -44% |
| Bennetts End | 248 | 49.1 | -75% |
| Chaulden and Warners End | 809 | 78.8 | -60% |
The 10 locations below account for 64% of the crime recorded in Hemel Hempstead Town over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (236).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 236 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 164 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 117 |
| On or near Half Moon Yard | 94 |
| On or near Alexandra Road | 80 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 75 |
| On or near Police Station | 58 |
| On or near Berefeld | 43 |
| On or near Maynard Road | 38 |
| On or near Wood Lane | 34 |
Of the 1,082 crimes in Hemel Hempstead Town with a recorded outcome, 39% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 6.2% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 386 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 423 | 39.1% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 355 | 32.8% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 110 | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 67 | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 51 | 4.7% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 33 | 3.0% | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 1.5% | 4.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.3% | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 2 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
Hemel Hempstead Town has an estimated population of 7,504 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (31%, against 17%), less home ownership (44%, against 63%) and a younger population (14%, against 19%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Hemel Hempstead Town average decile 4.2 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Hemel Hempstead Town | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.9% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 62.0% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 17.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.3% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 34.4% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 17.9% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 25.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 44.2% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 31.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 24.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Hemel Hempstead Town a safe place to live?
Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 195.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 207th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were anti-social behaviour and possession of weapons.
What is the most common crime in Hemel Hempstead Town?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 446 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (386).
Is crime in Hemel Hempstead Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hemel Hempstead Town was up 5% on the year before: 1,468 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,393 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Hemel Hempstead Town?
About 7,504 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 14% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Hemel Hempstead Town?
Hemel Hempstead Town is policed by Hertfordshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.