Crime in Hertford Castle: statistics, rates and trends

734 crimes were recorded in Hertford Castle in the 12 months to July 2026, 147.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 249 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Hertford Castle has the 456th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hertford Castle was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,220 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (666). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 Hertford Castle 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 shoplifting (+28%) and anti-social behaviour (+17%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-56%) and public order (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hertford Castle

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hertford Castle recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hertford Castle

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hertford Castle recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 20.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hertford Castle

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hertford Castle recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 14.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hertford Castle

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hertford Castle recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hertford Castle

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hertford Castle recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hertford Castle

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hertford Castle recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hertford Castle

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hertford Castle recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hertford Castle

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hertford Castle recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hertford Castle

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hertford Castle recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hertford Castle

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hertford Castle recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 140% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hertford Castle

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hertford Castle recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hertford Castle

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hertford Castle recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hertford Castle

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hertford Castle recorded 6 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 down 45% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hertford Castle

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hertford Castle recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Hertford Castle over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hertford Castle 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.

Hertford Castle has an estimated population of 4,974. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hertford Castle sits in decile 7.3, 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 Hertford Castle. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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