Crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley: statistics, rates and trends
1,082 crimes were recorded in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley at a glance
- Crime trends in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- Types of crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- Abbots Langley and Kings Langley compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- Streets with the most crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- What happened after crimes were reported in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- Population and deprivation in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- Questions about crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
- About this data
1,082 crimes were recorded in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 408 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Abbots Langley and Kings Langley has the 864th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Abbots Langley and Kings Langley | Three Rivers | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,082 | 6,432 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 65.3 | 67.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 16,565 | 95,807 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,105 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (952). Over the whole period it fell 2%, 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 | 1,082 | 65.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,064 | 64.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,028 | 62.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,078 | 65.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 952 | 57.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 968 | 58.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,066 | 64.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,067 | 64.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,105 | 66.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 107 |
| June 2026 | 92 |
| May 2026 | 107 |
| April 2026 | 97 |
| March 2026 | 81 |
| February 2026 | 76 |
| January 2026 | 72 |
| December 2025 | 92 |
| November 2025 | 90 |
| October 2025 | 85 |
| September 2025 | 95 |
| August 2025 | 88 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley 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 increases were in drugs (+62%) and public order (+15%).
The largest falls were in other crime (-44%) and vehicle crime (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 408 | 24.6 | 0.72 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 208 | 12.6 | 0.82 | -9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 72 | 4.3 | 0.64 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 72 | 4.3 | 0.88 | -17% |
| Burglary | 67 | 4.0 | 1.14 | +2% |
| Public order | 62 | 3.7 | 0.56 | +15% |
| Other theft | 61 | 3.7 | 0.58 | -10% |
| Drugs | 47 | 2.8 | 0.87 | +62% |
| Shoplifting | 43 | 2.6 | 0.31 | +8% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.1 | 0.54 | -44% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.6 | 0.62 | +233% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.4 | 0.31 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.2 | 0.14 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -71% |
Violence and sexual offences in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 408 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 37.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 19.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 233% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Abbots Langley and Kings Langley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Abbots Langley and Kings Langley.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Abbots Langley and Kings Langley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricket Wood | 307 | 57.6 | -12% |
| Watford (Watford) | 14,210 | 103.3 | +58% |
| Chiswell Green | 270 | 45.1 | -31% |
| Hemel Hempstead | 10,245 | 102.0 | +56% |
| Rickmansworth | 1,784 | 76.7 | +17% |
| Bovingdon | 325 | 53.7 | -18% |
| Chorleywood | 522 | 36.5 | -44% |
| Radlett | 470 | 57.6 | -12% |
3 areas within Abbots Langley and Kings Langley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Gade Valley had the highest rate (66.4 per 1,000) and Kings Langley the lowest (54.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gade Valley | Neighbourhood | 6,733 | 447 | 66.4 |
| Abbots Langley & Bedmond | Neighbourhood | 6,284 | 401 | 63.8 |
| Kings Langley | Neighbourhood | 5,416 | 296 | 54.7 |
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 Abbots Langley and Kings Langley over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 49 |
| On or near School Mead | 35 |
| On or near High Street | 34 |
| On or near Station Road | 31 |
| On or near Ovaltine Drive | 30 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 28 |
| On or near Pinehurst Close | 26 |
| On or near Langley Hill Close | 25 |
| On or near Parsonage Close | 24 |
| On or near St Lawrence Close | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley 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 | 316 | 29.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 292 | 27.0% |
| Not recorded | 208 | 19.2% |
| Under investigation | 114 | 10.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 43 | 4.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 35 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 35 | 3.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 12 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.4% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 4 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
Abbots Langley and Kings Langley has an estimated population of 16,565. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley sits in decile 7.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Abbots Langley and Kings Langley |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.5% |
| Social rented homes | 15.3% |
| Private rented homes | 13.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.8 |
Is Abbots Langley and Kings Langley a safe place to live?
Abbots Langley and Kings Langley recorded 65.3 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 Abbots Langley and Kings Langley?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 408 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (208).
Is crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley going up or down?
Recorded crime in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley was up 2% on the year before: 1,082 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,064 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Abbots Langley and Kings Langley?
Abbots Langley and Kings Langley 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 Abbots Langley and Kings Langley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.