Crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire: statistics, rates and trends
557 crimes were recorded in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 58.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 17% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire at a glance
- Crime trends in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- Types of crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- Population and deprivation in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- Questions about crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
- About this data
557 crimes were recorded in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 58.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 17% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 233 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire has the 2,676th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire | East Hertfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 557 | 10,684 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 58.2 | 68.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -17% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 9,575 | 156,875 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire was highest in the year to July 2025 (673 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (473). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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 | 557 | 58.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 673 | 70.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 554 | 57.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 514 | 53.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 473 | 49.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 494 | 51.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 503 | 52.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 605 | 63.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 552 | 57.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 48 |
| June 2026 | 46 |
| May 2026 | 47 |
| April 2026 | 52 |
| March 2026 | 37 |
| February 2026 | 30 |
| January 2026 | 31 |
| December 2025 | 61 |
| November 2025 | 43 |
| October 2025 | 26 |
| September 2025 | 64 |
| August 2025 | 72 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire 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 falls were in shoplifting (-43%) and anti-social behaviour (-41%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 233 | 24.3 | 0.71 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 115 | 12.0 | 0.78 | -41% |
| Vehicle crime | 48 | 5.0 | 1.02 | -14% |
| Other theft | 34 | 3.6 | 0.56 | -6% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 30 | 3.1 | 0.46 | -40% |
| Public order | 28 | 2.9 | 0.44 | +8% |
| Burglary | 22 | 2.3 | 0.65 | +5% |
| Other crime | 15 | 1.6 | 0.74 | +67% |
| Shoplifting | 12 | 1.3 | 0.15 | -43% |
| Drugs | 8 | 0.8 | 0.26 | -43% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.6 | 0.76 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.19 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.22 | -33% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | -86% |
Violence and sexual offences in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 233 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 41.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire 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 down 86% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop's Stortford South | 324 | 51.0 | -12% |
| Much Hadham | 145 | 47.8 | -18% |
| Bishop's Stortford Thorley Manor | 302 | 36.8 | -37% |
| Bishop's Stortford Central | 670 | 102.2 | +76% |
| Bishop's Stortford All Saints | 522 | 98.5 | +69% |
| Bishop's Stortford North | 1,305 | 122.1 | +110% |
| Bishop's Stortford Parsonage | 374 | 51.3 | -12% |
| Great Amwell & Stansteads | 340 | 58.4 | +0% |
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 Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near School Lane | 38 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 36 |
| On or near Nursery Fields | 33 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 27 |
| On or near Cambridge Road | 23 |
| On or near West Road | 23 |
| On or near Crofters | 18 |
| On or near New Street | 16 |
| On or near The Mews | 16 |
| On or near Parking Area | 15 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 178 | 32.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 145 | 26.0% |
| Not recorded | 115 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 60 | 10.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 24 | 4.3% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.2% |
Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire has an estimated population of 9,575. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.7% |
| Social rented homes | 9.2% |
| Private rented homes | 14.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire a safe place to live?
Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire recorded 58.2 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 Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 233 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (115).
Is crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire was down 17% on the year before: 557 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 673 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire?
Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire 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 Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.