Crime in Sopwell: statistics, rates and trends
912 crimes were recorded in Sopwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 17% on the year before.
Table of Contents
912 crimes were recorded in Sopwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 17% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 232 reports (25% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sopwell has the 885th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sopwell | St Albans | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 912 | 11,959 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 116.4 | 79.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +17% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 7,838 | 151,012 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sopwell was highest in the year to July 2026 (912 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (581). Over the whole period it rose 3%, 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 | 912 | 116.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 778 | 99.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 778 | 99.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 767 | 97.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 738 | 94.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 655 | 83.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 581 | 74.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 746 | 95.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 889 | 113.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 76 |
| June 2026 | 78 |
| May 2026 | 109 |
| April 2026 | 89 |
| March 2026 | 68 |
| February 2026 | 74 |
| January 2026 | 67 |
| December 2025 | 49 |
| November 2025 | 54 |
| October 2025 | 78 |
| September 2025 | 74 |
| August 2025 | 96 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sopwell 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, other theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+58%) and anti-social behaviour (+33%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-23%) and criminal damage and arson (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 232 | 29.6 | 1.93 | +33% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 198 | 25.3 | 0.74 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 144 | 18.4 | 2.22 | +58% |
| Other theft | 97 | 12.4 | 1.94 | +29% |
| Vehicle crime | 51 | 6.5 | 1.32 | -23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 47 | 6.0 | 0.88 | -20% |
| Burglary | 44 | 5.6 | 1.59 | +33% |
| Public order | 33 | 4.2 | 0.63 | -8% |
| Drugs | 18 | 2.3 | 0.70 | +64% |
| Bicycle theft | 16 | 2.0 | 2.48 | +23% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.8 | 0.85 | +27% |
| Robbery | 10 | 1.3 | 0.94 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.6 | 0.38 | +67% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.39 | -25% |
Anti-social behaviour in Sopwell
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sopwell recorded 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 25.4% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Sopwell
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sopwell recorded 198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 21.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Sopwell
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sopwell recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 15.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sopwell
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sopwell recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sopwell
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sopwell recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sopwell
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sopwell recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sopwell
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sopwell recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sopwell
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sopwell recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sopwell
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sopwell recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Sopwell
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sopwell recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sopwell
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sopwell recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Sopwell
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sopwell recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Sopwell
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sopwell recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Sopwell
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sopwell recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sopwell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sopwell.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sopwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verulam | 543 | 75.2 | -35% |
| St Peters | 1,690 | 181.0 | +56% |
| Cunningham | 917 | 105.8 | -9% |
| Clarence | 442 | 54.7 | -53% |
| Park Street | 787 | 92.1 | -21% |
| Bernards Heath | 636 | 75.7 | -35% |
| Batchwood | 524 | 67.8 | -42% |
| Hill End | 403 | 61.4 | -47% |
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 Sopwell over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 165 |
| On or near Supermarket | 112 |
| On or near Hudson Close | 42 |
| On or near Old Oak | 37 |
| On or near Butterfield Lane | 31 |
| On or near Leyland Avenue | 29 |
| On or near Griffiths Way | 28 |
| On or near Lectern Lane | 26 |
| On or near Graham Close | 24 |
| On or near Mandeville Drive | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sopwell 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 | 348 | 38.2% |
| Not recorded | 232 | 25.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 164 | 18.0% |
| Under investigation | 61 | 6.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 29 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 22 | 2.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 13 | 1.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Sopwell has an estimated population of 7,838. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sopwell sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sopwell |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.2% |
| Social rented homes | 23.7% |
| Private rented homes | 18.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
Is Sopwell a safe place to live?
Sopwell recorded 116.4 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 Sopwell?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (198).
Is crime in Sopwell going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sopwell was up 17% on the year before: 912 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 778 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sopwell?
Sopwell 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 Sopwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.