Crime in Hatfield: statistics, rates and trends

5,469 crimes were recorded in Hatfield in the 12 months to July 2026, 126.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,932 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hatfield has the 142nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hatfield was highest in the year to July 2018 (6,002 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (4,964). Over the whole period it fell 9%, 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 Hatfield 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, anti-social behaviour, other theft.

The largest increases were in drugs (+72%) and robbery (+43%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-51%) and other theft (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hatfield

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hatfield recorded 1,932 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 35.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hatfield

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hatfield recorded 1,009 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 18.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hatfield

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hatfield recorded 357 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hatfield

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hatfield recorded 350 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hatfield

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hatfield recorded 348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hatfield

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hatfield recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hatfield

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hatfield recorded 301 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hatfield

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hatfield recorded 275 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 72% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hatfield

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hatfield recorded 161 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hatfield

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hatfield recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hatfield

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hatfield recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hatfield

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hatfield recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hatfield

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hatfield recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hatfield

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hatfield recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Hatfield, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hatfield Central had the highest rate (198.8 per 1,000) and Hatfield South West the lowest (88.7). 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 Hatfield over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hatfield 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.

Hatfield has an estimated population of 43,155. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hatfield sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. 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 Hatfield. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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