Crime in Hertford: statistics, rates and trends

2,590 crimes were recorded in Hertford in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 872 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hertford has the 555th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hertford was highest in the year to July 2019 (3,344 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,316). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 Hertford 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 drugs (+39%) and shoplifting (+21%). The largest falls were in robbery (-41%) and bicycle theft (-38%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hertford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hertford recorded 872 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hertford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hertford recorded 534 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hertford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hertford recorded 290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 11.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hertford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hertford recorded 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hertford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hertford recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hertford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hertford recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hertford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hertford recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hertford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hertford recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hertford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hertford recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hertford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hertford recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hertford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hertford recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hertford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hertford recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hertford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hertford recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hertford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hertford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Hertford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hertford Castle had the highest rate (147.6 per 1,000) and Hertford Bengeo the lowest (61.9). 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 Hertford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hertford 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.

Hertford has an estimated population of 30,969. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hertford sits in decile 8.1, 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 Hertford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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