Crime in Harpenden: statistics, rates and trends

1,123 crimes were recorded in Harpenden in the 12 months to July 2026, 38.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 299 reports (27% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Harpenden has the 1,324th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Harpenden was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,345 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,017). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 Harpenden 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 public order (+28%) and vehicle crime (+27%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-38%) and burglary (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Harpenden

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harpenden recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 26.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Harpenden

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harpenden recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 21.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Harpenden

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harpenden recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 13.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Harpenden

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harpenden recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Harpenden

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harpenden recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Harpenden

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harpenden recorded 67 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 down 30% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Harpenden

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harpenden recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Harpenden

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harpenden recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Harpenden

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harpenden recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Harpenden

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harpenden recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 114% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Harpenden

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harpenden recorded 10 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 25% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Harpenden

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harpenden recorded 6 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Harpenden

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harpenden recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Harpenden

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harpenden recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Harpenden, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Harpenden West had the highest rate (83.2 per 1,000) and Harpenden South the lowest (28.1). 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 Harpenden over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harpenden 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.

Harpenden has an estimated population of 28,871. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harpenden sits in decile 9.6, 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 Harpenden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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