Crime in Hemel Hempstead Town: statistics, rates and trends
1,458 crimes were recorded in Hemel Hempstead Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 194.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in Hemel Hempstead Town
- Questions about crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
- About this data
1,458 crimes were recorded in Hemel Hempstead Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 194.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 429 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Hemel Hempstead Town has the 216th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Hemel Hempstead Town | Dacorum | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,458 | 13,646 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 194.3 | 84.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 7,504 | 161,420 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Hemel Hempstead Town was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,458 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (839). Over the whole period it rose 55%, 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 | 1,458 | 194.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,385 | 184.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,275 | 169.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,022 | 136.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 953 | 127.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 860 | 114.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 839 | 111.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,176 | 156.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 938 | 125.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 126 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hemel Hempstead Town 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in drugs (+73%) and other theft (+63%). The largest falls were in robbery (-44%) and burglary (-42%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 429 | 57.2 | 1.67 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 393 | 52.4 | 3.41 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 146 | 19.5 | 2.35 | +8% |
| Other theft | 85 | 11.3 | 1.77 | +63% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 80 | 10.7 | 1.57 | -10% |
| Vehicle crime | 79 | 10.5 | 2.14 | +36% |
| Public order | 75 | 10.0 | 1.50 | -9% |
| Drugs | 64 | 8.5 | 2.61 | +73% |
| Burglary | 32 | 4.3 | 1.21 | -42% |
| Possession of weapons | 20 | 2.7 | 2.74 | +186% |
| Other crime | 19 | 2.5 | 1.20 | -10% |
| Robbery | 15 | 2.0 | 1.48 | -44% |
| Theft from the person | 12 | 1.6 | 0.95 | -29% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 1.2 | 1.46 | +12% |
Violence and sexual offences in Hemel Hempstead Town
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (57.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 29.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Hemel Hempstead Town
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 393 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 27.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Hemel Hempstead Town
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Hemel Hempstead Town
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Hemel Hempstead Town
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Hemel Hempstead Town
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Hemel Hempstead Town
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Hemel Hempstead Town
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Hemel Hempstead Town
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 186% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Hemel Hempstead Town
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Hemel Hempstead Town
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Hemel Hempstead Town
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Hemel Hempstead Town
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Hemel Hempstead Town, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hemel Hempstead Town.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hemel Hempstead Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adeyfield West | 410 | 73.7 | -62% |
| Highfield | 670 | 94.4 | -51% |
| Boxmoor | 1,287 | 142.9 | -26% |
| Gadebridge | 447 | 80.1 | -59% |
| Adeyfield East | 1,291 | 152.3 | -22% |
| Apsley and Corner Hall | 1,244 | 110.7 | -43% |
| Bennetts End | 241 | 47.7 | -75% |
| Chaulden and Warners End | 811 | 79.0 | -59% |
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 Hemel Hempstead Town over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 241 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 169 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 112 |
| On or near Half Moon Yard | 92 |
| On or near Alexandra Road | 81 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 76 |
| On or near Police Station | 57 |
| On or near Berefeld | 37 |
| On or near Thriftfield | 36 |
| On or near Wood Lane | 35 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hemel Hempstead Town 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 | 413 | 28.3% |
| Not recorded | 393 | 27.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 349 | 23.9% |
| Under investigation | 101 | 6.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 68 | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 53 | 3.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 32 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 22 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Hemel Hempstead Town has an estimated population of 7,504. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hemel Hempstead Town sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Hemel Hempstead Town |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 44.2% |
| Social rented homes | 31.5% |
| Private rented homes | 24.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 |
Is Hemel Hempstead Town a safe place to live?
Hemel Hempstead Town recorded 194.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Hemel Hempstead Town?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (393).
Is crime in Hemel Hempstead Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hemel Hempstead Town was up 5% on the year before: 1,458 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,385 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Hemel Hempstead Town?
Hemel Hempstead Town 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 Hemel Hempstead Town. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.