Crime in Harlow: statistics, rates and trends
10,320 crimes were recorded in Harlow in the 12 months to July 2026, 107.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
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10,320 crimes were recorded in Harlow in the 12 months to July 2026, 107.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,170 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Harlow has the 283rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harlow | Harlow | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 10,320 | 10,663 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 107.6 | 108.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 95,879 | 98,235 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harlow was highest in the year to July 2021 (13,353 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (9,855). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 | 10,320 | 107.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 9,855 | 102.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 10,613 | 110.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 11,609 | 121.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 12,811 | 133.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 13,353 | 139.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 13,122 | 136.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 12,728 | 132.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 11,568 | 120.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,098 |
| June 2026 | 1,039 |
| May 2026 | 956 |
| April 2026 | 852 |
| March 2026 | 854 |
| February 2026 | 822 |
| January 2026 | 808 |
| December 2025 | 728 |
| November 2025 | 837 |
| October 2025 | 741 |
| September 2025 | 794 |
| August 2025 | 791 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harlow 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, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+74%) and burglary (+36%). The largest falls were in other crime (-27%) and theft from the person (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,170 | 43.5 | 1.27 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,070 | 11.2 | 0.73 | +32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 825 | 8.6 | 1.27 | +5% |
| Public order | 774 | 8.1 | 1.22 | -7% |
| Shoplifting | 704 | 7.3 | 0.89 | -13% |
| Other theft | 638 | 6.7 | 1.04 | +8% |
| Vehicle crime | 600 | 6.3 | 1.27 | -14% |
| Drugs | 536 | 5.6 | 1.71 | -5% |
| Burglary | 326 | 3.4 | 0.96 | +36% |
| Other crime | 192 | 2.0 | 0.95 | -27% |
| Possession of weapons | 158 | 1.6 | 1.70 | +35% |
| Bicycle theft | 143 | 1.5 | 1.81 | +74% |
| Robbery | 111 | 1.2 | 0.86 | +26% |
| Theft from the person | 73 | 0.8 | 0.45 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Harlow
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harlow recorded 4,170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 40.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harlow
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harlow recorded 1,070 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harlow
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harlow recorded 825 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harlow
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harlow recorded 774 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harlow
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harlow recorded 704 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harlow
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harlow recorded 638 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harlow
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harlow recorded 600 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harlow
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harlow recorded 536 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harlow
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harlow recorded 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harlow
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harlow recorded 192 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 27% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harlow
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harlow recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harlow
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harlow recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 74% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Harlow
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harlow recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harlow
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harlow recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Harlow, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harlow.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawbridgeworth | 630 | 53.8 | -50% |
| Epping | 973 | 95.2 | -12% |
| Hoddesdon | 3,486 | 86.8 | -19% |
| Waltham Abbey | 2,095 | 102.0 | -5% |
| Ware | 1,325 | 65.9 | -39% |
| Bishop's Stortford | 3,497 | 78.8 | -27% |
| Cheshunt | 4,252 | 95.6 | -11% |
| Waltham Cross | 1,602 | 120.3 | +12% |
11 areas within Harlow, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Little Parndon & Town Centre had the highest rate (254.4 per 1,000) and Church Langley North & Newhall the lowest (44.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Parndon & Town Centre | Neighbourhood | 8,454 | 2,151 | 254.4 |
| Mark Hall | Neighbourhood | 8,191 | 1,483 | 181.1 |
| Passmores | Neighbourhood | 9,984 | 1,252 | 125.4 |
| Netteswell | Neighbourhood | 8,944 | 997 | 111.5 |
| Bush Fair | Neighbourhood | 9,887 | 1,000 | 101.1 |
| Latton Bush & Stewards | Neighbourhood | 9,564 | 957 | 100.1 |
| Sumners & Kingsmoor | Neighbourhood | 9,213 | 809 | 87.8 |
| Great Parndon | Neighbourhood | 6,843 | 460 | 67.2 |
| Old Harlow | Neighbourhood | 9,804 | 612 | 62.4 |
| Church Langley South & Potter Street | Neighbourhood | 12,063 | 707 | 58.6 |
| Church Langley North & Newhall | Neighbourhood | 5,288 | 235 | 44.4 |
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 Harlow over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 650 |
| On or near Parking Area | 445 |
| On or near Hospital | 284 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 279 |
| On or near Police Station | 252 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 190 |
| On or near North Gate | 174 |
| On or near Milwards | 119 |
| On or near Glebelands | 112 |
| On or near East Gate | 99 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harlow 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 | 3,106 | 30.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,972 | 28.8% |
| Not recorded | 1,070 | 10.4% |
| Under investigation | 876 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 692 | 6.7% |
| Local resolution | 370 | 3.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 343 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 332 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 249 | 2.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 176 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 97 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 34 | 0.3% |
Harlow has an estimated population of 95,879. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harlow sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harlow |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 55.2% |
| Social rented homes | 29.4% |
| Private rented homes | 15.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 1.2% |
Is Harlow a safe place to live?
Harlow recorded 107.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Harlow?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,070).
Is crime in Harlow going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harlow was up 5% on the year before: 10,320 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 9,855 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harlow?
Harlow is policed by Essex. 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 Harlow. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.