Crime in Berkhamsted: statistics, rates and trends

1,258 crimes were recorded in Berkhamsted in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 368 reports (29% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Berkhamsted has the 1,024th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Berkhamsted was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,515 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,092). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 Berkhamsted 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 criminal damage and arson (+37%) and anti-social behaviour (+32%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in Berkhamsted

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Berkhamsted recorded 368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 29.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Berkhamsted

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Berkhamsted recorded 291 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Berkhamsted

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Berkhamsted recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Berkhamsted

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Berkhamsted recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Berkhamsted

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Berkhamsted recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Berkhamsted

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Berkhamsted recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Berkhamsted

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Berkhamsted recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Berkhamsted

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Berkhamsted recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Berkhamsted

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Berkhamsted recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Berkhamsted

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Berkhamsted recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 380% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Berkhamsted

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Berkhamsted recorded 14 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 down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Berkhamsted

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Berkhamsted recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 120% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Berkhamsted

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Berkhamsted recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Berkhamsted

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Berkhamsted recorded 5 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 17% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Berkhamsted, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Berkhamsted Castle had the highest rate (65.5 per 1,000) and Northchurch the lowest (45.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Berkhamsted over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Berkhamsted 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.

Berkhamsted has an estimated population of 22,080. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Berkhamsted sits in decile 8.8, 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 Berkhamsted. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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