Crime in Letchworth: statistics, rates and trends

2,841 crimes were recorded in Letchworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,039 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Letchworth has the 545th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Letchworth was highest in the year to July 2019 (3,537 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (2,700). 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 Letchworth 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.

The largest increases were in drugs (+69%) and possession of weapons (+25%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-41%) and other crime (-31%).

Violence and sexual offences in Letchworth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Letchworth recorded 1,039 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 36.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Letchworth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Letchworth recorded 673 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Letchworth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Letchworth recorded 231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Letchworth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Letchworth recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Letchworth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Letchworth recorded 186 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 13% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Letchworth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Letchworth recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 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.

Burglary in Letchworth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Letchworth recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Letchworth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Letchworth recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Letchworth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Letchworth recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Letchworth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Letchworth recorded 41 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 31% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Letchworth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Letchworth recorded 30 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 25% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Letchworth

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

Robbery in Letchworth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Letchworth recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Letchworth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Letchworth recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Letchworth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Letchworth South West had the highest rate (99.8 per 1,000) and Letchworth Grange the lowest (63.7). 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 Letchworth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Letchworth 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.

Letchworth has an estimated population of 33,624. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Letchworth 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 Letchworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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