Crime in Hitchin: statistics, rates and trends

2,459 crimes were recorded in Hitchin in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower 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 820 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hitchin has the 826th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hitchin was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,214 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,459). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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 Hitchin 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 (+30%) and vehicle crime (+19%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-19%) and criminal damage and arson (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hitchin

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hitchin recorded 820 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 33.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hitchin

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hitchin recorded 555 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 22.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hitchin

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hitchin recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hitchin

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hitchin recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hitchin

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hitchin recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hitchin

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hitchin recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hitchin

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hitchin recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hitchin

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hitchin recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hitchin

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hitchin recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hitchin

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hitchin recorded 45 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 8% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hitchin

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hitchin recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hitchin

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hitchin recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hitchin

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hitchin recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hitchin

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hitchin recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Hitchin, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hitchin Priory had the highest rate (111.9 per 1,000) and Hitchin Highbury the lowest (42.5). 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 Hitchin over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hitchin 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.

Hitchin has an estimated population of 36,223. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hitchin sits in decile 8.4, 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 Hitchin. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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