Crime in Hemel Hempstead: statistics, rates and trends

10,245 crimes were recorded in Hemel Hempstead in the 12 months to July 2026, 102.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,446 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hemel Hempstead has the 333rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hemel Hempstead was highest in the year to July 2019 (11,299 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (9,415). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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 Hemel Hempstead 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 anti-social behaviour, other theft.

The largest increases were in drugs (+80%) and possession of weapons (+35%). The largest falls were in robbery (-43%) and burglary (-36%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hemel Hempstead

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hemel Hempstead recorded 3,446 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 33.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hemel Hempstead

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hemel Hempstead recorded 2,456 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 24.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hemel Hempstead

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hemel Hempstead recorded 824 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hemel Hempstead

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hemel Hempstead recorded 778 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hemel Hempstead

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hemel Hempstead recorded 645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hemel Hempstead

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hemel Hempstead recorded 557 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hemel Hempstead

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hemel Hempstead recorded 457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hemel Hempstead

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hemel Hempstead recorded 336 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hemel Hempstead

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hemel Hempstead recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hemel Hempstead

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hemel Hempstead recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hemel Hempstead

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hemel Hempstead recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hemel Hempstead

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hemel Hempstead recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hemel Hempstead

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hemel Hempstead recorded 78 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 10% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hemel Hempstead

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hemel Hempstead recorded 33 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 down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Hemel Hempstead, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hemel Hempstead Town had the highest rate (194.3 per 1,000) and Bennetts End the lowest (47.7). 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 Hemel Hempstead over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hemel Hempstead 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.

Hemel Hempstead has an estimated population of 100,479. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hemel Hempstead sits in decile 5.8, 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 Hemel Hempstead. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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